Development and evaluation of degradable hydroxyapatite/sodium silicate composite for low-dose drug delivery systems

Abstract

This study was designed to develop innovative degradable hydroxyapatite (HAp)-based systems working as potential carriers for low-dose drugs. The HAp-based systems combine three components: HAp, sodium silicate and citric acid (HSC), which together could exhibit optimal characteristics as drug carriers. Both synthetic HAp (s-HAp) and extracted biological HAp (b-HAp) were used as sources of HAp due to their optimal biological properties and adsorption capacity. The s-HAp powder was prepared by co-precipitation method, while the b-HAp powder was extracted from bovine bone. Aqueous drug solutions of the atenolol, antihypertensive drug, were used as a model drug to investigate the drug release behaviour from HSC composites. The properties of s-HAP, b-HAp powders and HSC composite tablets were characterized by conventional methods. The results revealed that both s-HAp and b-HAp are pure powders and exhibited agglomerated microstructures with grain sizes less than 100 μm. The HSC composite tablets exhibited a dense structure, excellent compressive strength and excellent in-vitro release behaviour of atenolol. The results indicated that HAp powders and their composite tablets can be promised as economic raw materials and carriers for low-dose drugs.