Functionalized Food-Grade Biopolymer-Nanosilica Based Hybrid Hydrogels as Sustained Delivery Devices of Rutin

Abstract

Novel tamarind gum (TG) or carboxymethyl tamarind gum (CMTG) blended diethanolamine-functionalized pectin (DFP) based hydrogels reinforced with calcium silicate (CS) were developed for sustained delivery of rutin (RUT). The DFP (DA, 48.7%) and CMTG (DS, 50.0%) were initially synthesized and analyzed through 1H-NMR, FTIR, XRD and DSC studies. RUT-loaded hybrid hydrogels were subsequently afforded by Ca2+-induced gelation protocol. The hydrogels portrayed acceptable RUT entrapping efficiency (DEE, 29–43%), delayed eluting behaviour (Q6h, 65–100%) and variable swelling at 6 h (16–172%), which were significantly influenced by formulation variables. The RUT dissolution profile of the optimized hydrogels (F-5) obeyed Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model with anomalous transport driven mechanism. These matrices also demonstrated excellent mucoadhesion property and biodegradability. Furthermore, the hydrogels revealed their smooth but distorted surface morphology and drug-carrier compatibility with attenuated RUT crystallinity. These hydrogels matrices were thus evidenced to be appropriate for the delivery of hydrophobic RUT in its solubilised form.