DESIGN, FABRICATION AND EVALUATION OF NATURAL POLYMER-BASED MICROBEADS FOR THE PROLONGED RELEASE OF ANTIVIRAL DRUG
TL;DR
The prepared sodium alginate-xanthan gum system demonstrates potential as an active sustained drug delivery system for valacyclovir hydrochloride and ensures that physical characteristics along with drug release behavior of the microbead were pointedly influenced by polymer composition in addition to cross-linking concentration.
Abstract
Objectives: The present study designed to prepare and evaluate valacyclovir hydrochloride-loaded hydrogel microbeads using a sodium alginate-xanthan gum polymeric system to get sustained drug release and potential for sustained delivery. Methods: Microbeads were formulated by the ionic gelation technique using variable ratios of sodium alginate and xanthan gum, cross-linked with aluminum chloride (1% and 2% w/v). The formulations were tested using various evaluation methods, that is, percentage yield, particle size, swelling index, drug entrapment efficiency, surface morphology study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), drug-polymer compatibility fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and in vitro drug release. Release kinetics were examined by means of various mathematical models. Results: The microbeads were spherical with rough surfaces, as established by SEM, and exhibited no chemical incompatibility as per FTIR analysis. Particle size ranged from 661.67±10.65 μm to 713.67±12.33 μm, indicating uniformity. Percentage yield (79.80–88.11%) and drug entrapment efficiency (23.26–39.04%) exhibited higher values in alginate-rich formulations. Swelling index ranged between 217.00±20.60% and 304.00±16.77%, affected by polymer ratio along with cross-linking density. In vitro drug release studies confirmed a sustained release profile, with F1 presenting the highest release (40.08%) and F6 the lowest (28.91%) through 300 min. Drug release mainly followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, signifying a diffusion-controlled mechanism with polymer relaxation. Conclusion: The study ensures that physical characteristics along with drug release behavior of the microbead were pointedly influenced by polymer composition in addition to cross-linking concentration. The prepared sodium alginate-xanthan gum system demonstrates potential as an active sustained drug delivery system for valacyclovir hydrochloride.