R Kamel1, H A Abbas. 1. Pharmaceutical Technology Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt. drrababk@hotmail.com
Abstract
CONTEXT: Nanoparticulate systems are new tools that promise a revolution in the field of drug delivery. Among their numerous benefits, polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) have shown to provide a barrier to drug release. OBJECTIVE: In this study, PECs, in the form of self-assembled polymeric nanogels, have been studied as potential drug carriers of the freely soluble drug tramadol HCL trying to achieve a prolonged percutaneous permeation. METHODOLOGY: The hydrogels were subjected to swelling, rheology, release and permeation studies and were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: P2 hydrogel composed of chitosan-carrageenan (1-1) PEC attained the most compromised rheological shear-thinning thixotropic behavior, good bioadhesive properties, the most retarded release and permeation with an f2 value <50 compared to chitosan hydrogel, altogether with non-irritancy to the skin. SEM photographs showed that P2 has spherical nanosized particles structure. CONCLUSION: This approach can provide us promising results for an around-the-clock analgesia with better safety and tolerability profile.
CONTEXT: Nanoparticulate systems are new tools that promise a revolution in the field of drug delivery. Among their numerous benefits, polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) have shown to provide a barrier to drug release. OBJECTIVE: In this study, PECs, in the form of self-assembled polymeric nanogels, have been studied as potential drug carriers of the freely soluble drug tramadol HCL trying to achieve a prolonged percutaneous permeation. METHODOLOGY: The hydrogels were subjected to swelling, rheology, release and permeation studies and were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: P2 hydrogel composed of chitosan-carrageenan (1-1) PEC attained the most compromised rheological shear-thinning thixotropic behavior, good bioadhesive properties, the most retarded release and permeation with an f2 value <50 compared to chitosan hydrogel, altogether with non-irritancy to the skin. SEM photographs showed that P2 has spherical nanosized particles structure. CONCLUSION: This approach can provide us promising results for an around-the-clock analgesia with better safety and tolerability profile.