[Preparation of kappa-carrageenan-chitosan polyelectrolyte gel beads].
OBJECTIVE
To prepare kappa-carrageenan-chitosan polyelectrolyte gel pellets and detect the effects of formulation and preparation factors on in vitro drug release from the pellets.


METHODS
The K-carrageenan-chitosan polyelectrolyte gel pellets with baicalin as model drug were prepared by ionotropic gelation technique. The ratio of kappa-carrageenan/chitosan in pellets was determined with the composite of K-carrageenan and chitosan. The effects of the concentration of K-carrageenan, the ratio of drug/kappa-carrageenan, the concentration of gelling solution, gelling time and drying method on the release of pellets were determined by in vitro drug release.


RESULTS
The mass ratio of K-carrageenan/chitosan in pellets was 6: 4. Release of the pellets in 0.1 mol x L(-1) HCl was about 10% for 2 hours and fast in PBS, indicating a typical sustained release property. The pellets released less with the increase in the concentration of K-carrageenan, the ratio of drug/kappa-carrageenan and the concentration of KCl. They also released less with the increase in gelling time, but showed little effect until 1 hour. The release of the pellets prepared by the freeze-drying method was much faster than those by vacuum drying and atmospheric drying methods which had little influence on drug release.


CONCLUSIONS
The K-carrageenan-chitosan polyelectrolyte gel pellets had sustained release property. Their drug release rate could be regulated with different formulation and preparation factors.
Institute of Materia Medica, He'nan University, Kaifeng 475004, China. zy1219@henu.edu.cn
Yu
Y
Zhang
Yun
Y
Zhang
D002351:Carrageenan / Q000737:chemistry*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003890:Desiccation; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005782:Gels; D008863:Microspheres; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D004337:Drug Carriers; D004573:Electrolytes; D005782:Gels; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D002351:Carrageenan; D048271:Chitosan