Formulation and in vitro evaluation of κ-carrageenan-pregelatinized starch-based mucoadhesive gels containing miconazole

• Published in: Die Stärke 2011-08, Vol.63 (8), p.512-521
• Main Authors: Lefnaoui, Sonia, Moulai-Mostefa, Nadji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; biopolymers; Cereal and baking product industries; Drug release; drugs; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gels; hydrocolloids; miconazole; Mucoadhesive gel; Pregelatinized starch; starch; Starch and starchy product industries; Swelling; κ-Carrageenan
• ISSN: 0038-9056; 1521-379X
• DOI: 10.1002/star.201000141

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of using κ-carrageenan (κ-Carr) with pregelatinized starch (PGS) in the improvement of swelling and erosion behaviors of mucoadhesive gels containing 2% of miconazole. Polymer blends containing carrageenan and PGS were used for the formulation, and the effect of varying polymer concentrations on the drug release was studied. The matrices were prepared using different biopolymer (starch hydrogel) concentrations. Swelling and erosion characteristics of the matrices were carried out in various media and their impact on drug release were studied. The swelling action of the gel matrix was controlled by the rate of its hydration in the medium. Release studies have showed that the swelling and erosion of matrices influence the drug release. In addition, the presence of κ-Carr in the gel formula improves the bioadhesive properties. The release data showed a good fit into the power law or Korsmeyer-Peppas equation indicating the combined effects of diffusion and erosion mechanisms of drug release. Most of the formulations released miconazole by an anomalous (non-Fickian) transport mechanism, except those matrices that contained PGS alone which showed zero-order release.