J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 14, no. 4, Article ID 2836, Jul-Aug 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.4.2836Original Article
Semi-solid extrusion 3D printing of quercetin-loaded polyethylene oxide–poloxamer gel formulations: A proof-of-concept study
[Impresión 3D por extrusión semisólida de formulaciones en gel de óxido de polietileno–poloxámero cargadas con quercetina: estudio de prueba de concepto]
Kristiine Roostar, Oleh Koshovyi*, Andres Meos, Ivo Laidmäe, Ain Raal, Urve Paaver, Jyrki Heinämäki
Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, 1 Nooruse St, Tartu 50411, Estonia.
*E-mail: oleh.koshovyi@ut.ee
Abstract
Context: Quercetin oral delivery is limited by low aqueous solubility, chemical instability, and poor bioavailability. Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) three-dimensional (3D) printing may provide a flexible approach for preparing individualized oral dosage forms for quercetin.
Aims: To develop and evaluate the feasibility of novel quercetin-loaded aqueous polyethylene oxide (PEO)-poloxamer gel inks for SSE 3D printing, and to investigate the physicochemical characteristics and in vitro performance of the resulting 3D-printed systems evaluated as candidates for oral formulation development.
Methods: Six aqueous-ethanolic gel formulations containing quercetin dihydrate, PEO, and either Tween 80, Eumulgin® SMO 20, Pluronic® F-68, Pluronic® F-108, or Pluronic® F-87 were prepared. Gel viscosity, microscopic appearance, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral homogeneity, printability, scaffold mass, surface area, quercetin content, and in vitro dissolution were evaluated. Quercetin was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry.
Results: All formulations were printable, although quercetin crystals were detected microscopically in all gels. The addition of Tween 80 or poloxamers reduced viscosity and improved macroscopic homogeneity compared with the PEO-only formulation. Printed scaffolds showed uniform appearance and acceptable mass variation. Quercetin content in dried scaffolds was generally close to theoretical values. Poloxamer-containing formulations accelerated quercetin release. The Pluronic® F-68 formulation released approximately 95% of quercetin within 60 min, whereas the PEO-only formulation released approximately 51%.
Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study demonstrated that PEO-based gels containing Tween 80 or Pluronic® F-68 may represent suitable candidates for further development of SSE 3D printing of quercetin oral dosage forms. Further analytical validation, biorelevant dissolution, stability, and bioavailability studies are required.
Keywords: drug delivery systems; personalized medicine; poloxamers; printing, three-dimensional; quercetin; rheology.
Resumen
Contexto: La administración oral de quercetina está limitada por su baja solubilidad en agua, su inestabilidad química y su escasa biodisponibilidad. La impresión tridimensional (3D) por extrusión semisólida (SSE) puede proporcionar un enfoque flexible para la preparación de formas farmacéuticas orales individualizadas de quercetina.
Objetivos: Desarrollar y evaluar la viabilidad de nuevas tintas en gel acuosas de óxido de polietileno (PEO)-poloxámero cargadas con quercetina para impresión 3D por extrusión semisólida (SSE), así como investigar las características fisicoquímicas y el comportamiento in vitro de los sistemas impresos en 3D resultantes, evaluados como candidatos para el desarrollo de formulaciones orales.
Métodos: Se prepararon seis formulaciones de gel hidroetanólico que contenían dihidrato de quercetina, PEO y Tween 80, Eumulgin® SMO 20, Pluronic® F-68, Pluronic® F-108 o Pluronic® F-87. Se evaluaron la viscosidad del gel, la apariencia microscópica, la homogeneidad espectral mediante espectroscopia infrarroja por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), la imprimibilidad, la masa y el área superficial de los andamios, el contenido de quercetina y la disolución in vitro. La cuantificación de la quercetina se realizó mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC) y espectrofotometría ultravioleta (UV).
Resultados: Todas las formulaciones fueron imprimibles, aunque se detectaron cristales de quercetina mediante microscopía en todos los geles. La incorporación de Tween 80 o poloxámeros redujo la viscosidad y mejoró la homogeneidad macroscópica en comparación con la formulación que contenía únicamente PEO. Los andamios impresos presentaron una apariencia uniforme y una variación de masa aceptable. El contenido de quercetina en los andamios secos fue, en general, cercano a los valores teóricos. Las formulaciones que contenían poloxámeros aceleraron la liberación de quercetina. La formulación con Pluronic® F-68 liberó aproximadamente el 95% de la quercetina en 60 min, mientras que la formulación basada únicamente en PEO liberó aproximadamente el 51%.
Conclusiones: Este estudio de prueba de concepto demostró que los geles a base de PEO que contienen Tween 80 o Pluronic® F-68 pueden representar candidatos adecuados para el desarrollo futuro de formulaciones de quercetina destinadas a la impresión 3D por extrusión semisólida (SSE). Se requieren estudios adicionales de validación analítica, disolución en medios biológicamente relevantes, estabilidad y biodisponibilidad.
Palabras Clave: impresión tridimensional; medicina personalizada; poloxámeros; quercetina; reología; sistemas de liberación de fármacos.
Citation Format: Roostar K, Koshovyi O, Meos A, Laidmäe I, Raal A, Paaver U, Heinämäki J (2026) Semi-solid extrusion 3D printing of quercetin-loaded polyethylene oxide–poloxamer gel formulations: A proof-of-concept study. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 14(4): 2836. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.4.2836
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