Bacterial nanocellulose as a simple and tailorable platform for controlled drug release

This study presents a proof of concept for a simple and effective approach to developing a Bacterial Nanocellulose drug delivery system (BNC-DDS) aimed at locally delivering immunomodulatory drugs to prevent foreign body reactions (FBR). Building on BNC’s self-adhesive properties when dried, we designed a laminate structure that encapsulates commercial crystalline drugs (dexamethasone-DEX and GW2580) within a sandwich-like system. The bilayer BNC-DDS demonstrated excellent stability, with interfacial energies of 150 ± 11 J/m² and 88 ± 7 J/m² for 2 mm- and 10 mm-thick films, respectively—representing 7.5- and 4.4-fold increases compared to commercial tissue adhesives. In vitro release studies revealed the tunability of the system, showing prolonged drug release with thicker BNC membranes (16 to 47 days for DEX and 35 to 132 days for GW2580). Mathematical modeling indicated a diffusion-driven release mechanism with non-Fickian behavior. These findings highlight the potential of this straightforward approach to create BNC-based drug depots for localized, sustained delivery of therapeutic agents over customizable timeframes.