Chitosan/beidellite nanocomposite as diclofenac carrier.

Chitosan (CS) and purified sodium beidellite (Na-Bd) were used to obtain a nanocomposite able to carry anionic pharmaceutical ingredients. Diclofenac sodium (DS) was chosen as a model drug and was loaded by intercalation solution technique. Solid state characterization of the resultant hybrids was performed, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, Thermal analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis. Drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were quantified by measuring equilibrium concentration by UV-Vis spectroscopy at 276 nm. Solid-state characterization of the samples confirmed both chemical and physical interaction of DS with the nanocomposites. High drug loading along with a modified cumulative release of the drug in simulated intestinal fluid was obtained. The developed clay/polymer hybrids can act as potential candidates for the design of modified dosage forms of anionic drugs.