Caffeine Release from Magneto-Responsive Hydrogels Controlled by External Magnetic Field and Calcium Ions and Its Effect on the Viability of Neuronal Cells

Caffeine (CAF) is a psychostimulant present in many beverages and with rapid bioab-sorption. For this reason, matrices that effectuate the sustained release of a low amount of CAF would help reduce the intake frequency and side effects caused by high doses of this stimulant. Thus, in this study, CAF was loaded into magnetic gelatin/alginate (Gel/Alg/MNP) hydrogels at 18.5 mg/ghydrogel. The in vitro release of CAF was evaluated in the absence and presence of an external magnetic field (EMF) and Ca2+. In all cases, the presence of Ca2+ (0.002 M) retarded the release of CAF due to favorable interactions between them. Remarkably, the release of CAF from Gel/Alg/MNP in PBS/CaCl2 (0.002 M) at 37 degrees C under an EMF was more sustained due to synergic effects. In PBS/CaCl2 (0.002 M) and at 37 degrees C, the amounts of CAF released after 45 min from Gel/Alg and Gel/Alg/MNP/EMF were 8.3 +/- 0.2 mg/ghydrogel and 6.1 +/- 0.8 mg/g(hydrogel), respectively. The concentration of CAF released from Gel/Alg and Gel/Alg/MNP hydrogels amounted to similar to 0.35 mM, thereby promoting an increase in cell viability for 48 h. Gel/Alg and Gel/Alg/MNP hydrogels can be applied as reservoirs to release CAF at suitable concentrations, thus forestalling possible side effects and improving the viability of SH-SY5Y cells.

Automated summary

CAF was loaded into Gel/Alg/MNP hydrogels to achieve sustained release, and the presence of Ca2+ and EMF enhanced the release of CAF. The released concentration of CAF from Gel/Alg/MNP hydrogels in PBS/CaCl2 at 37°C was 0.35 mM, promoting cell viability.