Biocomposites based on alginate−chitosan−collagen and nimesulide/layered double hydroxides: preparation and characterization

Abstract

Considering the increase in life expectancy of the world's population, the study of new materials that can act as alloplastic grafts and also have the ability to release drugs directly at the site of the patient's pain is considered of great importance. Therefore, this paper presents a study on synthesizing and characterizing hybrid membranes composed of biopolymers (alginate, chitosan, and collagen) added of zinc and aluminum layered double hydroxides intercalated with nimesulide, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These membranes have the potential to be used as resorbable grafts that release the drug in question more slowly. An experimental study was carried out for the synthesis with six variables to define the best composition for synthesizing the membranes. The best condition presented was characterized by XRD, and then a study of the release of nimesulide using UV-Vis spectroscopy was carried out. The XRD technique showed the synthesis of LDH intercalated with nimesulide and its insertion into the polymeric hybrid membrane. The release studies as a function of pH showed that the LDH releases around 20% of the intercalated nimesulide at pHs above 2. At the same time, the membranes contribute to keeping the nimesulide in its protonated form and unavailable to the environment, which contributes significantly, since this membrane, when used as a graft, will fulfill its structural function. As the body absorbs the membrane, it will release the nimesulide at the focus of the patient's pain.