Highly Responsive Chitosan-Co-Poly (MAA) Nanomatrices through Cross-Linking Polymerization for Solubility Improvement

Abstract

In this study, we report the highly responsive chitosan-based chemically cross-linked nanomatrices, a nano-version of hydrogels developed through modified polymerization reaction for solubility improvement of poorly soluble drug simvastatin. The developed nanomatrices were characterized for solubilization efficiency, swelling studies, sol-gel analysis, in vitro drug release studies, DSC, FTIR, XRD, SEM, particle size analysis, and stability studies. An in vivo acute toxicity study was conducted on female Winstor rats, the result of which endorsed the safety and biocompatibility of the system. A porous and fluffy structure was observed under SEM analysis, which supports the great swelling tendency of the system that further governs the in vitro drug release. Zeta sizer analyzed the particle size in the range of 227.8 ± 17.8 nm. Nano sizing and grafting of hydrophilic excipients to the nanomatrices system explains this shift of trend towards the enhancement of solubilization efficiency, and, furthermore, the XRD results confirmed the amorphous nature of the system. FTIR and DSC analysis confirmed the successful grafting and stability to the system. The developed nanomatrices enhanced the release characteristics and solubility of simvastatin significantly and could be an effective technique for solubility and bioavailability enhancement of other BCS class-II drugs. Due to enhanced solubility, efficient method of preparation, excellent physico-chemical features, and rapid and high dissolution and bio-compatibility, the developed nanomatrices may be a promising approach for oral delivery of hydrophobic drugs.

Chitosan-Graft-Poly(acrylic acid) Superabsorbent’s Water Holding in Sandy Soils and Its Application in Agriculture

“…This was due to the increase in viscosity because the increasing concentration of chitosan caused a steric effect to overcome the binding potential of the functional groups, resulting in a decrease in the expansion ratio. This study agreed with Saleem et al [ 28 ] because the addition of chitosan could increase the hydrophilic properties of the superabsorbent.…”

“…Erizal and Wikantan [ 27 ] stated that the increased concentration of chitosan could increase the gel fraction, but if the concentration continued to be increased, the gel fraction would decrease. The same was also reported by Saleem et al [ 28 ], where a further increase in chitosan concentration resulted in a lower gel formation.…”

“…The use of chitosan in the superabsorbent produces different effects; for example, a study by Erizal et al [ 27 ] reported that an increase in the concentration of chitosan decreased the diffusion of water into the superabsorbent. Meanwhile, Saleem et al [ 28 ] reported that increasing the concentration of chitosan increased the swelling value, but too high a chitosan concentration precisely reduced water absorption. This was due to the increase in viscosity because the increasing concentration of chitosan caused a steric effect to overcome the binding potential of the functional groups, resulting in a decrease in the expansion ratio.…”

Hydrogel scaffolds in the treatment of spinal cord injury: a review

“…These composite hydrogels combine the biocompatibility of natural hydrogels with the mechanically tunable properties of synthetic hydrogels. For example, the addition of polylysine to poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG; Wei et al, 2021 ), or chitosan to methacrylamide can increase the viscosity of the material ( Saleem et al, 2022 ).…”