title: In vitro evaluation of chitosan coated- and uncoated-calcium alginate beads containing methyl salicylate-lactose physical mixture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methyl salicylate-lactose physical mixture (1:1 and 1:1.5 ratios) was incorporated into calcium alginate beads by a coacervation method involving an ionotropic gelation/polyelectrolyte complexation approach.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to determine the influence of chitosan coating over the beads on drug entrapment efficiency (DEE) and release characteristics in artificial saliva compared to that of the uncoated beads.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in formulation parameters (gelation time, concentrations of Ca(2+) and alginate) resulted in decrease in DEE of chitosan-uncoated beads (p < 0.05). This is due to the combined effects of drug leach-out from the physical mixture by Ca(2+) ions, alginate gel matrix cross-linking and free drug diffusion from chitosan-uncoated beads. However, an increment in the DEE was seen for chitosan-coated beads. A rapid drug release profile was noted for uncoated beads, but for chitosan-coated beads a sustained release profile was depicted depending upon the coating conditions. Chitosan-coated beads had reduced swelling and erosion properties and thus behaved as a physical barrier to drug release. Shifting from anomalous transport type to Fickian transport confirmed the formation of physical barrier onto chitosan-coated beads.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcium alginate beads could be used as a controlled-release system for methyl salicylate-lactose physical mixture.
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, International Medical University SDN BHD, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. tamilvanan2k@yahoo.com
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Tamilvanan
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Karmegam