Synthesis and characterization of galactomannan polymer hydrogel and sustained drug delivery

Abstract

Galactomannans are natural biopolymers possessing efficient biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sustainability, leading to diverse industrial applications. The present work aimed to synthesize a novel hydrogel for drug delivery systems using Cassia galactomannan (galactose to mannose ratio, 1/5) and sodium trimetaphosphate. The hydrogels are used as sustained drug delivery agents for colon cancer treatments and other colonic diseases. The zero order, first order, Higuchi's and Korsmeyer-Peppas models were used to study the release kinetics of the drug, (±)-2-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid. The gels possess controlled water absorption, solubility and increased stability, a requirement for controlled drug delivery applications. The studies reveal that the lower and higher cross-ligate hydrogels were effective in sustained release of 27 and 10 % drug respectively in 24 h. Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model showed that the drug release mechanism is controlled diffusion from polymeric gel matrix. Nuclear magnetic spectroscopy 31P, 1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) proved the formation of new covalent bonds between phosphate and hydroxyls groups that reinforced hydrogel into effective network density and controlled swelling power.

Keywords

• Biomaterial
• Drug delivery
• Hydrogel
• Galactomannan