Glutaraldehyde Cross linked Sodium Alginate / Chitosan pH Sensitive Microspheres for Controlled Release of Ibuprofen , Preparation and characterization

Abstract

polymers of sodium alginate and chitosan (NaAlg/Cs) based pH-Sensitive interpenetrating network (IPN) microspheres (MPs) were prepared by emulsion- crosslinking technique using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a crosslinking agent. Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was successfully encapsulated The biodegradable into the MPs by varying the ratio of % Cs, amount of GA and % drug loading. MPs with average particle sizes in the range of 293-372 µm were obtained. MPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In Vitro release studies were carried out in simulated gastric fluid of pH 1.2 for 2 h followed by simulated intestinal fluid of pH 7.4 at 37oC. In conclusion, the present study indicates that Ibuprofen was successfully encapsulated into the hydrophilic carbohydrate polymers blend MPs composed of NaAlg and Cs. The encapsulation efficiency up to 84% was obtained. The release of drug from the MPs was dependent upon the pH of medium, % Cs ratio, extent of GA and amount of drug loading. The n values ranged between 0.89 and 1.17, indicating that the drug release from the MPs shifted from anomalous to the super Case-II transport. FTIR confirmed the formations of IPN MPs. DSC have confirmed the amorphous dispersion of the drug in the polymer matrix.