Study of a cross-linked hydrogel of Karaya gum and Starch as a controlled drug delivery system.

A cross-linked hydrogel was synthesized using a hybrid backbone of karaya gum starch and grafted with polyacrylic acid. It showed a maximum swelling ratio (SR) of 30.5 g/g at pH 10 and was explored as an oral drug delivery carrier using paracetamol and aspirin as model drugs. In vitro release experiments revealed that maximum drug release at pH 7.4 in comparison to pH 1.2 (simulated intestinal vs gastric fluid) and neutral medium. The release profiles of these drugs showed no initial burst. It also showed good hemocompatibilty and non-cytotoxicity for its employment as a site specific drug delivery agent.