Hasmukh A. Patel

Montmorillonite as a drug delivery system: Intercalation and in vitro release of timolol maleate

The need for safe, therapeutically effective, and patient-compliant drug delivery systems continuously leads researchers to design novel tools and strategies. Clay minerals play a very crucial role in modulating drug delivery. This work examines the advantageous effect of clay mineral as drug carrier for timolol maleate (TM), a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent. The intercalation of TM into the interlayer of montmorillonite (MMT) at different pH and initial concentration is demonstrated. MMT-TM hybrid was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR), and thermal analysis (TG-DTA). TM was successfully intercalated into the interlayer of MMT, and in vitro release properties of the intercalated TM have been investigated in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.4) at 37+/-0.5 degrees C. Controlled release of TM from MMT-TM hybrid has been observed during in vitro release experiments.

Nanoclays for polymer nanocomposites, paints, inks, greases and cosmetics formulations, drug delivery vehicle and waste water treatment

An overview of nanoclays or organically modified layered silicates (organoclays) is presented with emphasis placed on the use of nanoclays as the reinforcement phase in polymer matrices for preparation of polymer/layered silicates nanocomposites, rheological modifier for paints, inks and greases, drug delivery vehicle for controlled release of therapeutic agents, and nanoclays for industrial waste water as well as potable water treatment to make further step into green environment. A little amount of nanoclay can alter the entire properties of polymers, paints, inks and greases to a great extent by dispersing 1nm thick layered silicate throughout the matrices. The flexibility of interlayer spacing of layered silicates accommodates therapeutic agents which can later on be released to damaged cell. Because the release of drugs in drug-intercalated layered materials is controllable, these new materials have a great potential as a delivery host in the pharmaceutical field. The problem of clean water can be solved by treating industrial and municipal waste water with organoclays in combination with other sorbents like activated carbon and alum. Organoclays have proven to be superior to any other water treatment technology in applications where the water to be treated contains substantial amounts of oil and grease or humic acid.

Montmorillonite-alginate composites as a drug delivery system: Intercalation and In vitro release of diclofenac sodium

Diclofenac sodium and alginate was intercalated into montmorillonite to form uniform sized beads by gelation method. The structure and surface morphology of the synthesized composite beads were characterized by powdered X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Diclofenac release kinetics of the composite in simulated intestinal fluid medium (pH 7.4) and effect of montmorillonite content on the in vitro release of diclofenac from diclofenac-montmorillonite-alginate composites bead was investigated by UV/Vis spectrophotometer. Diclofenac encapsulation efficiency in the montmorillonite-alginate composites bead increases with an increase in the montmorillonite content. The control release of diclofenac from diclofenac-montmorillonite-alginate composites beads was observed to be better as compared to diclofenac-alginate beads.