Dextran cross-linked gelatin microspheres as a drug delivery system.
This paper describes the use of oxidized dextran as a cross-linker for the preparation of gelatin microspheres. Microspheres were obtained by a thermal gelation method and their dissolution kinetic was examined. In order to find evidence of sugar mediated cross-linking, swelling tests and gelatin microspheres dissolution experiments were performed. The obtained results indicated that oxidized dextran can form a cross-linked gelatin network which can reduce the dissolution of gelatin. More interestingly, gelatin microspheres treated by both native and oxidized dextran slow down, even if to a different extent, the release of the antitumor drug TAPP-Br used as a model compound. Taken together, our results suggest that oxidized dextran could be an interesting means to cross-link gelatin microspheres allowing the use of this delivery formulation for controlled release of drugs.
Cortesi
R
R
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Esposito
E
E
Osti
M
M
Squarzoni
G
G
Menegatti
E
E
Davis
S S
SS
Nastruzzi
C
C
D003911:Dextrans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005780:Gelatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008863:Microspheres
D003911:Dextrans; D005780:Gelatin