ARS | Publication request: Kinetics of piroxicam release from low-methylated pectin/zein hydrogel microspheres

Submitted to: Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 8, 2012
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Citation: Bobkalonov, D.T., Kasymova, G.F., Mukhidinov, Z.K., Dzhonmurodov, A.S., Khalikov, D.K., Liu, L.S. 2012. Kinetics of piroxicam release from low-methylated pectin/zein hydrogel microspheres. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal. 46(1):50-53.

Interpretive Summary: Sunflower is a major cash-crop in Tajikistan. Pectin can be extracted from sunflower head residues after sunflower oil extraction. We have demonstrated that pectin can form complex hydrogels with corn protein. The resultant hydrogels can be used as a drug carrier for colon-specific drug delivery via oral route. The present study evaluated the release kinetics in the conditions mimicking the environments from the mouth to the gut. The drug diffusion out from the microspheres was identified as rate-limiting step in the release mechanism rather than its dissolution. The research provides a base to fabricate pectin-derived hydrogel drug delivery systems with a programmed released rate by tailoring the chemical compositions and physical architecture of the hydrogels.

Technical Abstract: The kinetics of a model drug (piroxicam) release from pectin/zein hydrogel microspheres was studied under conditions simulating the gastrointestinal tract. It is established that the rate-limiting step in the release mechanism is drug diffusion out of the microspheres rather than its dissolution. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of using this system based on hydrogel microspheres as a sustained drug delivery system capable of prolonging drug release for a period of 36 h and more with allowance for diffusion and enzymatic biodegradation in the hydrogel.