Formulation and Development of β-glucan Hydrogel using Design of Experiments (DOE)

Abstract

β-Glucan, an endogenous carbohydrate, is a key functional ingredient found in barley and oats and a major component of microbiological and plant cell walls. With no severe adverse effects, it has anti-tumor, diabetic lowering, wound healing, anti-aging and anticholesteremic effects. Twenty formulations were prepared using different polymers like carbapol 934, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K100M, HPMC K15M, guar gum and xantham gum. F1 formulation exhibited satisfactory results with respect to in-vitro drug release, spreadability, extrudability viscosity and drug content. In order to optimize the concentration of polymers used in F1 formulation, design 13 was opted. All the above 8 runs were subjected to evaluation tests, out of which F28 exhibited maximum drug release with optimum viscosity, spreadability and extrudability. The results correlated with the design with less percentage relative error. F28 formulation was observed to have positive correlation for ex-vivo drug release. Comparable wound healing activity was observed when performed on HaCaT cell lines.