POLYSACCHARIDES FROM SEAWEEDS: MODIFICATION AND POTENTIAL APPLICATION IN DRUG DELIVERY

H. PRADO; M. C. MATULEWICZ; P. BONELLI; A. L. CUKIERMAN

Marine Biomaterials: Isolation, Characterization and Applications

CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group

Año: 2012;

Novel interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) based on seaweed polysaccharides were prepared and characterized, and their potential as matrices for controlled drug release was evaluated. The investigated complexes were the IPECs formed between: Eudragit E and kappa-carrageenan, a cationized starch and kappa-carrageenan, Eudragit E and the agaran polysaccharides from the red seaweed Polysiphonia nigrescens (PN), and cationized agaroses and PN. The interpolyelectrolyte complexes between cationized agaroses and PN are the first IPECs reported completely based on seaweed polysaccharides. Tablets containing the IPECs and ibuprofen as model drug were prepared by direct compression. No organic solvents were used for the preparation of formulations, neither in the extraction of the polysaccharides from P. nigrescens nor in the synthesis of the cationized agaroses. These monolithic matrix systems released the drug with near zero-order kinetics during the buffer stage. The results indicated that release profiles could be controlled by varying the polymeric components of the IPEC and the content of a specific IPEC in the tablets. Also, the change in molecular weight and the degree of substitution of the components allowed altering the release profiles. Experimental dissolution data in the buffer stage were properly described by a reported model. It suggests that Fickian diffusion predominates initially over relaxation. The latter appears to increase during the release process and even overcomes the former for some systems