Abstract
The aim of this paper was to formulate microspheres based on biodegradable polymers (chitosan and sodium alginate), using the complex coacervation technique. Subsequently, the prepared microspheres were loaded with quercetin (QUE), a pharmacological active ingredient insoluble in water and unstable to light, temperature and air. After preparation, the loaded microspheres underwent several studies for physical chemical characterization (performed by scanning electron microscopy—SEM, laser 3D scanning, and thermal analysis—TA). Furthermore, they were analyzed in order to obtain information regarding swelling index, drug entrapment, and in vitro release capacity. The obtained experimental data demonstrated 86.07% entrapment of QUE into the microspheres, in the case of the one with the highest Ch concentration. Additionally, it was proved that such systems allow the controlled release of the active drug over 24 h at the intestinal level. SEM micrographs proved that the prepared microspheres have a wrinkled surface, with compact structures and a large number of folds. On the basis of the TA analysis, it was concluded that the obtained microspheres were thermally stable, facilitating their usage at normal physiological temperatures as drug delivery systems.
Highlights
The linear form of the calibration curve is expressed by the equation: y = 5.4857 × X + 0.0381, where y = solution absorbance recorded at 376 nm expressed as absorbance units and x = QUE concentration expressed as mmol L−1
The highest percentage of release during in vitro tests was obtained in the case where it can be concluded that the QUE release during in vitro tests increases in an inversely the microspheres hadwith the lowest
Analyzing data obtained for the it can be observed that the complexthe coacervation method used forentrapment microsphereefficiency, preparation offers the highthatefficiency
Summary
At present, microencapsulated pharmaceutical forms can be used as particulate systems able to incorporate various natural or synthetic pharmacologically active substances. In this regard, for microsphere preparation, natural materials are used because they are biocompatible, biodegradable, non-carcinogenic, non-toxic, harmless and safe for the human body, and economical, while being available, solving many of the problems related to the release and transport of pharmaceutical substances [1–8]. Nano-scale applications of organic compounds in the medical field have demonstrated that active drugs can be delivered using different nanocarriers [9–12]. Experiments carried out by Barani et al
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