Nanocellulose crystals reinforced chitosan hydrogel loaded with artemether-lumefantrine to achieve a sustained release formulation

Authors

  • Chukwuemeka H. EMEDIEGWU Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Bukola A. OSENI Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Modupe O. OLOGUNAGBA Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Oluwadamilola M. KOLAWOLE Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Chukwuemeka P. AZUBUIKE Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26538/tjpps/v3i3.5

Keywords:

sustained release, hydrogel, chitosan, cellulose nanocrystal, artemether-lumefantrine, artemisinin resistance

Abstract

Multiple dosing regimen is one of the factors driving poor adherence and the emerging resistance of parasites to artemisinin utilized in the treatment of malaria. Hence, a cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced chitosan hydrogel loaded with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) for sustained release of AL to achieve a once-daily dosing was developed. Various concentrations of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) of 0 - 2.5% were added to the artemether-lumefantrine (AL) chitosan solution to produce six hydrogel formulations. The drug-excipient compatibility and the effect of the CNC on the mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and in vitro release profile of the hydrogels were determined. The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of a -C=N stretching at 1546 cm-¹ indicating a successful cross-linking within the hydrogel. An increase in the concentration of CNC from 0 to 2.5% increased the maximum compression of the hydrogel from 26.1 ± 1.2 kPa to 52.6 ± 3.1 kPa. All the hydrogels exhibited increased swelling in an acidic medium (pH 2.01); an increase in CNC concentration caused an increase in the swelling of hydrogels. The 0.5% CNC-chitosan hydrogel released the highest amount of drugs (48.0 ± 3.56% and 38.0 ± 2.76% for artemether and lumefantrine respectively) after 12 h; an increase in the CNC concentration causes a decrease in the amount of artemether and lumefantrine released. The cellulose nanocrystals improved the mechanical strength, the swelling behavior and also exhibited a gradual and highest release of AL from the chitosan hydrogel with 0.5% CNC. Hence, the CNC-chitosan hydrogel can be useful in formulating sustained-release artemether-lumefantrine.

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Published

2024-07-03

How to Cite

EMEDIEGWU, C. H., OSENI, B. A., OLOGUNAGBA, M. O., KOLAWOLE, O. M., & AZUBUIKE, C. P. (2024). Nanocellulose crystals reinforced chitosan hydrogel loaded with artemether-lumefantrine to achieve a sustained release formulation. Tropical Journal of Phytochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3(3), 240–245. https://doi.org/10.26538/tjpps/v3i3.5