Novel Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogel Microspheres of Chitosan and Poly(acrylamide)-grafted-Guar Gum for Controlled Release of Ciprofloxacin

Abstract

Acrylamide-grafted-guar gum (pAAm-g-GG) was prepared and blended with chitosan (CS) to form interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel microspheres by the emulsion cross-linking method using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a cross-linker. The microspheres encapsulated up to 74% of ciprofloxacin (CFX), an antibiotic drug, having a plasma half-life of 4 h and the release of CFX was extended up to 12 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed their spherical structure with smooth surfaces; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the grafting reaction as well as chemical stability of CFX in the blend IPN hydrogel microspheres. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques confirmed the molecular level dispersion of CFX in the matrix. Swelling of microspheres performed in pH 7.4 buffer media was used to understand the drug release kinetics. In vitro release of CFX in pH 1.2 and 7.4 media showed a dependence on blend composition of the IPN, extent of cross-link...