Preparation and characterization of hydrogel-based delivery systems for bioactive molecules targeting transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis

Cardiac amyloidosis is a disorder characterized by the misfolding and aggregation of proteins such as transthyretin (TTR), presenting significant therapeutic challenges. Effective treatment requires the controlled and sustained delivery of biologically active molecules to affected tissues. Flavonoids such as quercetin, curcumin, and mangiferin have shown the ability to stabilize TTR tetramers, thereby inhibiting amyloid fibril formation. Despite their promising therapeutic potential and favorable preclinical results, the clinical translation of flavonoids has been limited by poor bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and chemical instability. To ovwrcome these limitations, tunable hydrogel delivery systems have emerged as viable approach to enhance flavonoid bioavailibilty. Consequently, a controlled-release chitosan-based hydrogel drug delivery system was developed. The surface morphology of the synthesized hydrogels was examined using scanning electron microscopy, while their structural integrity and pH-responsive properties were evaluated through gel fraction and pH-dependent swelling studies respectively.