Mali et al.: Carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel films for drug deliveryThe objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize citric acid crosslinked hydrogel films of carboxymethyl cellulose-tamarind gum for topical drug delivery. The hydrogel films were characterized by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimeter. The prepared hydrogel films were evaluated for the carboxyl content and equilibrium swelling ratio. Moxifloxacin hydrochloride was loaded into these hydrogel films and drug release was monitored in the phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Haemolysis assay was used to study biocompatibility of hydrogel films. Results of the attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance and differential scanning calorimeter confirmed the formation of citric acid-crosslinked hydrogel films. Total carboxyl content of hydrogel film was found to be increased when polymer ratio and amount of citric acid was increased. In contrast, swelling of hydrogel film was found to be decreased with increase in polymer ratio and amount of citric acid. Batch B1 showed highest drug loading with non-Fickian release mechanism. All remaining batches showed nonFickian release behavior with diffusion coefficient greater than 0.5. Results of haemolysis assay indicated that the citric acid crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose-tamarind gum hydrogels were safe to be used in drug delivery. These results indicated that the citric acid crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose-tamarind gum composite hydrogel film has the potential to be used in topical novel drug delivery systems.

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Approximately two third of population throughout the world is affected by a common fungal infection(1). The fungal infections caused by genus Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus are showing increasing trends of infections more specifically in transplant patients, AIDS patients and cancer patients. The major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients has been invasive fungal infections(2).Itraconazole (ITZ) is a triazole antifungal agent with a wide spectrum of activity. It is well tolerated in patients as compared to other triazoles like fluconazole, ravuconazole, and posaconazole. ITZ is used in the treatment of fungal infections. ITZ is drug of choice in case of immunecompromised and non-immuno compromised patients along with patients who cannot tolerate amphotericin B therapy (3). However, ITZ is a highly hydrophobic weak base and shows inter-individual and intra-individual variability in oral bioavailability. ITZ being BCS class II drug, its absorption