title: Optimization and characterization of diclofenac sodium microspheres prepared by a modified coacervation method.
abstract: A modified coacervation method for preparing diclofenac sodium loaded chitosan (DFS-C) microspheres, using sodium citrate as cross-linking agent was optimized. A full 2(3) factorial design was used to evaluate the effect of chitosan (CS) concentration, cross-linking agent concentration, and cross-linking time on the properties of the prepared microspheres. The modified coacervation method resulted in higher yield of spherical microspheres even with a lower concentration of CS (0.3%, w/v). The morphology of the microspheres was found to be dependent on the formulation and process parameters. The cross-linking agent concentration had the largest impact on swelling, mucoadhesion, and drug release. Kinetic analysis of the release data revealed a quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics Department, College of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: El-Leithy
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Shaker
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ghorab
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Abdel-Rashid
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004008:Diclofenac; D007700:Kinetics; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004008:Diclofenac; D048271:Chitosan