Release Control of Biologically Active Substances from Simulation Model of Silicone Liners
Authors: Gribanova S. V. , Udyanskaya I. L. , Yankova V. G. , Slonskaya T. K. , Epshtein N. B. , Zhukova A. A. , Plakhotnaya O. N. , Kuzina V. N. 
Published: January 2024

Introduction. In modern medicine, the requirements for the quality of used materials are getting stricter. There is serious concern about bacterial and fungal contamination related to the use of silicone polymeric products, especially those that are in direct contact with human tissues and body fluids. In this regard, the issue of impregnating silicone medical products with various biologically active substances (BAS), particularly with antimicrobial properties, appears relevant.

Aim. The research studies the relevance of adding BAS into silicone medical devices to improve their quality and prevent negative consequences of their use. The authors of the article aimed at proving prolonged release of the chosen BAS from silicone products during their contact with skin and the bacteriostatic effect emerging as a result of the BAS release. That required verifying the existence of BAS in the washouts from silicone disks, which, in turn, proves the fact that BAS initially distributed evenly in the volume of a silicone disk are capable of diffusing to the surface and then releasing from it under mechanical action, as well as when treating it with alcohol or alcohol-containing solutions.

Materials and methods. Symdiol and bisabolol were selected as the BAS for this study due to their proved antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Bisabolol and symdiol were used in the form of Dragosantol 100 and SymDiol 68T preparations correspondingly. Silicone disks (SDs), impregnated with BAS (0,2 % of the volume) were used as a simulation model of silicone liners. The BAS release from silicone liner models was assessed using highly sensitive chromatographic methods of thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography.

Results and discussion. The method of impregnating SDs with BAS was worked out, the optimal concentration of these substances to add them into the silicone base was selected. The release of the impregnated additives, as well as prolonged stable releasing effect, were confirmed. The data obtained during the experiment allows saying with confidence that the impregnated preparation (symdiol and bisabolol) releases from a SD even upon short and low-intensity mechanical contact with skin, which produces stable bacteriostatic effect on a wide range of microorganisms. The process of BAS release from SDs is also facilitated when treating the product periodically with alcohol-containing solutions, which is necessary according to the operating rules. The obtained results of the chromatographic research quite correlate with the data of the previous microbiological experiments regarding the studied topic. Release of the studied BAS from polymer products during their contact with the skin within the period of not less than 3 months justifies feasibility of adding these BAS into the silicone base.

Conclusions. The study confirmed the release of biologically active substances from silicone medical products. Adding BAS into silicone liners undoubtedly improves the quality of these medical products, which can be applied in prosthetics and orthoses.