Hydrogel microspheres from biodegradable polymers as drug delivery systems

Authors: MUHIDINOV, Z. - Chemical Institute Of Tajikistan; KASIMOVA, G. - Chemical Institute Of Tajikistan; BOBOKOLONOV, J - Chemical Institute Of Tajikistan; KHALIKOV, D. - Chemical Institute Of Tajikistan; Liu, Linshu

Submitted to: Journal of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2009
Publication Date: 12/15/2009
Citation: Muhidinov, Z.K., Kasimova, G.F., Bobokolonov, J.T., Khalikov, D.K., Liu, L.S. 2009. Hydrogel microspheres from biodegradable polymers as drug delivery systems. Journal of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan. 134:59-64

Interpretive Summary: Millions of tons of pectin can be extracted from various byproducts of crop and fruit processing, such as apple peel, citrus peel, grape skin, sunflower heads, or sugar beet pulp. However, to dispose these byproducts in an environmentally acceptable way will add processing costs. How to effectively use these byproducts has raised attention, not only in the U.S., but also in some developing countries, such as Tajikistan. In this study, a novel pharmaceutical device, microsphere hydrogels, was developed from pectin and another edible biopolymer, zein. The device can be used as drug carrier for drug encapsulation and controlled release, such as for vaccinations and epidemic prevention. Fruit growers and the public health will benefit from this study.

Technical Abstract: A series of hydrogel microspheres were prepared from pectin, a hydrophilic biopolymer, and zein, a hydrophobic biopolymer, at varying weight ratios. The hydrogel formulation was conducted in the presence of calcium or other divalent metal ions at room temperature under mild conditions. Studies of the microstructure and the hydration behaviors of the resultant microspheres indicated that the degree of pectin esterification was the controlling factor in determining their stability and capability as a drug delivery system. Pirixicam, an anti-inflammatory drug, was used as a model drug and loaded into the systems in the process of the microsphere formation. Drug loading efficiency was found to be primarily dependant on the ratios between zein and pectin. In comparison with other drug delivery systems prepared from synthetic polymers, the pectin/zein microspheres have several advantages, such as site-specific drug delivery activity and environmentally independent swelling properties, in addition to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity.