Citric acid crosslinked β-cyclodextrin/carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel films for controlled delivery of poorly soluble drugs.

Citric acid crosslinked β-cyclodextrin-carboxymethylcellulose (βCD-CMC) hydrogel films were prepared by esterification-crosslinking method for the controlled release of ketoconazole (model drug). The hydrogel films were evaluated for active βCD content, carboxyl content, swelling ratio, drug loading and release, and hemolytic activity. The structural characterization was carried out using solid state 13C NMR, ATR-FTIR, TGA and DSC analysis. The βCD-CMC hydrogel films showed increase in active βCD content swelling ratio and drug loading with increase in the concentration of βCD in the feed. The βCD helped to minimize the burst effect and retarded the release of ketoconazole. The hydrogel films were found to be biocompatible and capable of controlling the release of ketoconazole for long duration.