A Novel Nature-Inspired Magnetic Hydrogel Coated with Graphene Oxide for the Efficient-Sustained Release of Levodopa

Abstract

Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological condition characterized by the destruction of neurons in the central nervous system. Levodopa, an amino acid that is a precursor to dopamine, is prescribed as a treatment for PD. In this paper, the magnetic hydrogel was prepared using sodium alginate (SAl) and lignosulphonic acid (LSA) as green polymers, crosslinked with Ba2+ ions, and coated with Fe3O4-GO (Graphene Oxide) nanoparticles, which could increase the bioavailability of levodopa at the target site (brain) and achieve a better stimulus responsive targeted therapeutic effect. The synthesized hydrogel was characterized, and the multiple variants were evaluated for their in-vitro drug release. The highest drug loading efficiency of 69.67% was observed in the SAl-LSA-GO-LD (LD 3) film leading to the best-sustained release of levodopa as expected, with a 24% release followed by other variants. Combining sodium alginate (SAl) and lignosulphonic acid (LSA) hydrogel coated with Fe3O4 and graphene oxide nanoparticles is a novel, efficient methodology for the controlled release of levodopa.