Alginate/polyethylene glycol diacrylate shape memory hydrogel films for gastric retention and antibiotic delivery in H. pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori causes stomach infection and is a leading cause of gastric cancer. Shape memory gastroretentive drug delivery systems offer promising localized drug delivery against H. pylori; however, limited material options and safe removal from the stomach pose challenges. Herein, we prepared dual-crosslinked ciprofloxacin-loaded alginate and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)-based gastro-retentive shape memory hydrogel films to treat H. pylori. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was incorporated to tune film properties by intervening in the crosslinking process. The shape memory behavior of the formulations led to >70 % recovery within 4 min in the simulated gastric fluid. In vitro drug release profiles depended on the PEGDA, alginate, and HPMC content. Furthermore, films' mechanical strengths (20–80 kPa) were higher than natural gastric stress, indicating that the films could tolerate in vivo mechanical stress. The fracture strength decreased with time and the pH-responsive structure of alginate allowed reduction in the mechanical strength through antacid administration for safe removal. The hydrogel films also exhibited prolonged antibacterial efficacy with a zone of inhibition of 34.01±1.04 mm for H. pylori. Films were cytocompatible with >90 % at 5 mg/mL extract concentration. Overall, the prepared pH-responsive hydrogel films exhibited notable shape memory suitable for prolonged gastric retention.