Development and Optimization of Tamarind Gum-β-Cyclodextrin-g-Poly(Methacrylate) pH-Responsive Hydrogels for Sustained Delivery of Acyclovir

Abstract

Acyclovir has a short half-life and offers poor bioavailability. Its daily dose is 200 mg five times a day. A tamarind gum and β-cyclodextrin-based pH-responsive hydrogel network for sustained delivery of acyclovir was developed using the free-radical polymerization technique. Developed networks were characterized by FTIR, DSC, TGA, PXRD, EDX, and SEM. The effect of varying feed ratios of polymers, monomers, and crosslinker on the gel fraction, swelling, and release was also investigated. FTIR findings confirmed the compatibility of the ingredients in a new complex polymer. The thermal stability of acyclovir was increased within the newly synthesized polymer. SEM photomicrographs confirmed the porous texture of hydrogels. The gel fraction was improved (from 90.12% to 98.12%) with increased reactant concentrations. The pH of the dissolution medium and the reactant contents affected swelling dynamics and acyclovir release from the developed carrier system. Based on the R2 value, the best-fit model was zero-order kinetics with non-Fickian diffusion as a release mechanism. The biocompatibility of the developed network was confirmed through hematology, LFT, RFT, lipid profile, and histopathological examinations. No sign of pathology, necrosis, or abrasion was observed. Thus, a pH-responsive and biocompatible polymeric system was developed for sustained delivery of acyclovir to reduce the dosing frequency and improve patient compliance.

Fabrication of Stimuli-Responsive Quince/Mucin Co-Poly (Methacrylate) Hydrogel Matrices for the Controlled Delivery of Acyclovir Sodium: Design, Characterization and Toxicity Evaluation

“…For all formulations, the value of “ n ” was calculated to be 0.689–0.867, which depicts anomalous or non-Fickian diffusion ( Table 2 ). The results of the dissolution studies of the quince/mucin co-poly (methacrylate) hydrogel comply with the findings of earlier investigations, in which pH-responsive methacrylate hydrogels were incorporated to attain controlled release of loaded moieties for prolonged period of time [ 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

Polymeric Hydrogels and Nanogels: Classification, Development and Pharmaceutical Applications

“…These carrier systems, at their optimal swelling, show resemblance with body tissues because of their delicate and elastic consistency [10]. Hydrogels being intelligent carrier systems show several advantages like absence of active ingredient exposure in acidic environment, targeted drug delivery, and prolonged release of incorporated drugs [11]. A number of bonding types are involved development of chemically cross-linked hydrogels like ionic or covalent [5].…”

“…Hydrogels in literature are formulated in different shapes like nano and micro-sized particles, hydrogel membranes, beads, matrics, etc. [7][8][9][10][11], depending upon the required use.…”