PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF SULFASALAZINE LOADED SODIUM ALGINATE MICROBEADS FOR SUSTAINED DELIVERY
<p>ABSTRACT<br />Objective: The main objective of the work was to prepare and evaluate sulfasalazine loaded sodium alginate microbeads for sustained delivery for<br />the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Sulfasalazine has crystalluria, thrombocytopenia, and megaloblastic anemia<br />as side effects, so to reduce side effect microbeads were prepared.<br />Methods: The sulfasalazine microbeads were prepared by inotropic gelation method by optimizing process parameters such as concentration of<br />calcium chloride, agitation speed, and time of agitation. The concentration of polymer sodium alginate was varied.<br />Result: Among the five formulations, the best formulation was considered by comparing process parameters such as the entrapment efficiency, drug<br />content, in vitro drug release studies, scanning electron microscope analysis, and zeta potential.<br />Conclusion: On comparison, B3 formulation was considered as best formulation with a mean particle size ranging from 40.9 to 244 µm, drug content<br />of 94.7%, entrapment efficiency of 87.7%, and the drug release was found to be 97.1% for 12 hrs and followed zero order kinetics and non-Fickian<br />diffusional pathway, with a zeta potential value of −56.8 mV indicating higher stability.<br />Keywords: Inotropic gelation method, Sodium alginate, Microbeads, Rheumatoid arthritis, Side effects.</p>