The properties of polysaccharide-based hydrogels can be effectively modified by developing an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) for the purpose of controlled drug delivery. This study aims to unearth the potential of a more viscous, highly carboxylated xanthan (CX) gum as an additive in the design of IPN hydrogel beads with carboxylated guar (CG) gum and control of glimepiride release in simulated gastrointestinal milieu. The carboxylated gums were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, degree of substitution, and viscosity. The incorporation of CX up to 75% into CG matrix did not alter the spherical morphology of the beads after drug loading and ensured $69% drug entrapment efficiency. The CX as additive provided compatible environment for drug entrapment. Thermal and x-ray analyses suggested amorphous dispersion of drug in the IPNs. Depending on the concentration of CX, IPN hydrogels demonstrated variable swelling and drug release rate in simulated gastrointestinal pH. It was noticed that at least 25% CX as an additive could be beneficial in controlling drug release rate from the IPNs. The weight percent of CX influenced the drug release mechanism. Hence, the inclusion of CX as an additive in CG matrix seemed to be a promising approach for controlled drug release and further evaluations in vivo.

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