Lata S. Manjeshwar

Interpenetrating polymer network blend microspheres of chitosan and hydroxyethyl cellulose for controlled release of isoniazid

Glutaraldehyde crosslinked interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) blend microspheres of chitosan (CS) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) were prepared in the form of microspheres (66-82 microm dia) and investigated for the controlled release (CR) of isoniazid (INH), an antituberculosis drug. Microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to study the uniform distribution of drug in the matrices, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA) to study thermal stabilities of IPN blends. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to understand chemical interactions and to assess the IPN structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to investigate the morphology of microspheres. Drug-loaded microspheres were produced in spherical shapes with encapsulation efficiency ranging from 50 to 66%. Equilibrium swelling measured in pH 7.4 buffer solution as well as in vitro release of drug in pH 1.2 and 7.4 buffer solutions indicated the dependence of drug release on crosslinking as well as blend composition of the IPN matrix.

Novel composite blend microbeads of sodium alginate coated with chitosan for controlled release of amoxicillin

Composite blend microbeads of sodium alginate (NaAlg) with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) containing magnesium aluminum silicate (MAS) particles and enteric coated with chitosan have been prepared to achieve controlled release (CR) of amoxicillin in stomach environment. The composite beads have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to study drug distribution, DSC for understanding thermal stability and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to investigate chemical interactions as well as to assess the structure of the drug-loaded formulations. Surface morphology of the beads was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The size distribution of beads loaded with drug as studied by particle size analyzer was in the range of 745-889 μm. The beads exhibited quite widely varying encapsulation efficiencies from 52 to 92%. Equilibrium swelling of the beads measured in water and in vitro release of amoxicillin in pH 1.2 medium suggests that drug release depends on polymer blend composition, concentration of MAS and extent of enteric coating.

Blend Hydrogel Microspheres of Carboxymethyl Chitosan and Gelatin for the Controlled Release of 5-Fluorouracil

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) was synthesized and blended with gelatin (GE) to prepare hydrogel microspheres by w/o emulsion cross-linking in the presence of glutaraldehyde (GA), which acted as a cross-linker. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was encapsulated to investigate its controlled release (CR) characteristics in acidic (pH 1.2) and alkaline (pH 7.4) buffer media. The microspheres which formed were spherical in nature, with smooth surfaces, as judged by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the carboxymethylation of CS and the chemical stability of 5-FU in the formulations. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the physical state and molecular level dispersion of 5-FU. Equilibrium swelling of microspheres was performed in water, in order to understand the water uptake properties. The in vitro release of 5-FU was extended up to 12 h in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, revealing an encapsulation efficiency of 72%. The effects of blend composition, the extent of cross-linking, and initial drug loading on the in vitro release properties, were investigated. When analyzed through empirical equations, the release data suggested a non-Fickian transport mechanism.

Novel pH-sensitive blend microspheres for controlled release of nifedipine--an antihypertensive drug.

Water-soluble acrylamide (AAm)-grafted-chitosan (CS) copolymer (AAm-g-CS) was synthesized using potassium persulfate (PPS) initiator from which interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) microspheres were prepared by water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion that are cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GA) and used for encapsulating nifedipine (NFD). Microspheres were coated with sodium alginate (NaAlg) to enhance their pH-sensitivity for extending the release time of NFD up to 14 h, releasing with 93% of NFD. The coated and uncoated microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to understand chemical interactions and blend compatibility. Morphology and particle size of the microspheres were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle zeta analyzer, respectively. Swelling and in vitro release experiments were performed in pH 1.2 and 7.4 buffer media, which showed a dependence on IPN blend composition, extent of cross-linking and amount of AAm used. Empirical analysis of drug patterns suggested the differences between NaAlg coated and uncoated microspheres.