Injectable Thermo-gelling Delivery System for Lactoferrin: In-vitro and In-vivo Evaluation

Abstract

Introduction: Bone fracture causes disability across all ages, bone healing is slow and is associated with high health expenditure costs. Recent studies have shown that lactoferrin can act as a growth factor stimulating bone healing. A localized sustained delivery of lactoferrin would be beneficial in promoting the bone healing process. Currently not many efficient drug delivery systems for lactoferrin are reported. Poloxamers are a class of smart polymers which can act as vehicles for controlled drug delivery. They are liquid at room temperature and form an in-situ gel depot when injected into a biological system (thermoreversible). The main aim of the thesis was to develop a thermoresponsive poloxamers based in-situ gelling formulation loaded with therapeutic concentrations of lactoferrin with the ability to provide sustained release of lactoferrin for a period of up to three days and enhance the bone healing process. with the ability to provide sustained release of lactoferrin for a period of up to three days and enhance the bone healing process.