Flurbiprofen-loaded interpenetrating polymer network beads based on alginate, polyvinyl alcohol and methylcellulose: design, characterization and in-vitro evaluation.

The main objective of this study was to develop an appropriate interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) particulate system from water-soluble polymers such as sodium alginate (NaAlg), poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and methyl cellulose (MC) for the controlled release of flurbiprofen (FBP), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Therefore, polymeric IPN beads containing FBP were prepared by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde (GA) as the crosslinking agent and by varying experimental variables such as polymer ratio, crosslinking time and drug/polymer ratio. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the IPN beads. They were also evaluated with bead diameter, equilibrium swelling degrees, entrapment efficiencies and release profiles. It was observed that the release of FBP from beads was influenced by variables such as NaAlg amount in polymer matrix, crosslinking time and FBP/polymer ratio, and release mechanism of FBP from IPN beads followed non-Fickian transport. As a result of the studies, the highest drug release at the end of 6 h was observed in IPN beads with NaAlg/PVA/MC ratio of 4/1/1, FBP/polymer ratio of 1/4 and crosslinking time of 15 and 30 min.