Modified chitosan-based nanocomposite hydrogel: From preparation to drugs release applications

The present work was conducted to develop a biocompatible polymer based an inexpensive, pH-sensitive enteric coating of montelukast sodium and letrozole drugs for controlled drug delivery. An innovative mean was established to formulate an alimentary loading of drug on chitosan/PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) blend, cross-linked with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and incorporated with nanoparticles ZnTiO3, to enhance their properties like swelling in different media which made them fascinating in drug delivery applications. ZnTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol gel method at 800°C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The synthesized nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The hydrogels characteristics were examined by study their behavior in distinct phases such as aqueous media, pH (buffer solutions) and electrolyte solutions. At neutral and acidic pH the hydrogels exhibited the high swelling and low swelling was observed at basic pH. A three dimensional network of hydrogels was confirmed by gel content analysis. In vitro drug release studies of synthesized hydrogels were carried out in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). Montelukast sodium and letrozole was selected as the model drugs and the drug release profile of montelukast sodium for chitosan/PVA/ZnTiO3 exhibited 96% release in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) during the time period of 90 minute at 37℃. The 96% release in SGF suggested that the loaded hydrogel is not suitable for oral drug delivery of monelukast sodium drug. While the release profile of letrozole drug exhibited 8 % release in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and 98% simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8) during the time period of 180 minute respectively. The 98% release in SIF suggested that the loaded hydrogel is suitable for oral drug delivery