Comparative studies of directly loaded and cyclodextrin-mediated release of Theophylline and evaluation of biodegradation studies of HPNs

Abstract

Theophylline, also known as 1,3-dimethylxanthine, is a bronchodilator used to cure respiratory problems. With a view to improve drug solubility, therapeutic index, stability and controlled drug delivery of Theophylline, the Host–Guest, solid inclusion compounds of Theophylline and beta-cyclodextrin were prepared through traditional methods and microwave-prompted technique. All the characterization techniques like FESEM, FTIR, PXRD 1HNMR and DSC confirmed the MW irradiation method is the best method to form true inclusion complexes of beta-cyclodextrin and drug Theophylline. The drug release of directly loaded TP was compared with inclusion loaded hybrid polymer networks (HPNs) of chitosan and gelatin synthesized in air conditions. It was found that TP was released in a controlled manner as compare to the HPNs loaded with TP directly. Secondly, the drug release through the differently prepared ICs was also compared and found that the microwave-triggered synthesis of ICs is a brilliant method for the sustained release of the TP. It is a competent, green, quick and environment friendly in comparison to the traditional methods. In drug release kinetics, the values of n were found as 1.143, 0.501 and 0.797 at pH of 2, 7 and 7.4, respectively, which confirmed the non-Fickian diffusion at pH of 7 and 7.4, but at acidic pH conditions, the value of diffusion exponent was found to be greater than one, and it is the non-Fickian super case II diffusion. The continuous development of biodegradation at diverse steps was inspected by weight loss and with different characterization techniques like FTIR and FESEM, which revealed the hydrogel networks prepared in air conditions are biodegradable and the composting process of biodegradation was established as a more efficient method than soil burial approach.