Formulation and Evaluation of Chitosan-Based Ampicillin Trihydrate Nanoparticles

P Saha,G Rath,Ak Goyal

doi:10.4314/tjpr.v9i5.61061

Abstract

Purpose: To develop ampicillin trihydrate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles by modified ionic gelation method and evaluate their antimicrobial activity. Methods: Ampicillin trihydrate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method with the aid of sonication. Parameters such as the zeta potential, polydispersity, particle size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release of the nanoparticles were assessed for optimization. The antibacterial properties of the nanoparticle formulation were evaluated and compared with that of a commercial formulation (reference). Results: Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the nanoparticles were in the nanosize range but irregular in shape. Concentrations of 0.35 %w/v of chitosan and 0.40 %w/v sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and a sonication time of 20 min constituted the optimum conditions for the preparation of the nanoparticles. In vitro release data showed an initial burst followed by slow sustained drug release. The nanoparticles demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity to plain nanoparticles and the reference, due probably to the synergistic effect of chitosan and ampicillin trihydrate. Conclusion: Modified ionic gelation method can be utilized for the development of chitosan nanoparticles of ampicillin trihydrate. Polymer and crosslinking agent concentrations and sonication time are rate-limiting factors for the development of the optimized formulation. The chitosan nanoparticles developed would be capable of sustained delivery of ampicillin trihydrate.

Highlights

Controlled drug delivery systems offer numerous advantages over conventional dosages forms, including improved efficacy, reduce toxicity, and improved patient compliance, and can be utilized in the form of nanocarriers in drug delivery [1]
Chitosan nanoparticles containing ampicillin trihydrate were prepared using ionic gelation method assisted by sonication
The most satisfactory nanoparticles were obtained at a chitosan concentration of 0.35 %w/v and sodium tripolyphosphate concentration of 0.40 %w/v

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Controlled drug delivery systems offer numerous advantages over conventional dosages forms, including improved efficacy, reduce toxicity, and improved patient compliance, and can be utilized in the form of nanocarriers in drug delivery [1]. Nanoparticles are solid colloidal particles with diameters ranging from 1 - 1000 nm [2] They consist of macromolecular materials in which the active ingredient is dissolved, entrapped, encapsulated, adsorbed or chemically attached [3]. Among water-soluble polymers available, chitosan is one of the most extensively studied This is because chitosan possesses some ideal properties of a polymeric carrier for nanoparticles such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and low cost. It possesses a positive charge and exhibits an absorption enhancing effect. Chitosan nanoparticles containing ampicillin trihydrate were prepared using ionic gelation method assisted by sonication. Where Tp is the total ampicillin trihydrate used to prepare the nanoparticles and Tf is the free ampicillin trihydrate in the supernatant

Evaluation of in vitro drug release

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION