Abstract

In the present work NaAlg/(LSA-g-Am) interpenetrating polymeric network micro beads were developed by
graft polymerization using calcium chloride as crosslinker. Pyronaridine drug was loaded into these
microbeads via blending method. Various formulations were prepared by varying the ratios of LSA/AAm/NaAlg,
crosslinker and % of pyronaridine loading. Micro beads were characterized by Fourier transforms infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), X-ray diffraction (X-RD) and Scanning electron
microscopy (SEM). DSC and X-RD studies were performed to understand the crystalline nature of drug after
encapsulation into semi IPN micro beads. SEM images gave the beads with smooth surface. FT-IR spectroscopy
of microbeads confirms the formation of co-polymerization and grafting of the polymers. The encapsulation
efficiency was found up to 68 %. Drug release profiles of the IPN micro beads at pH 7.4 confirmed that micro
beads formed are pH-sensitive, resulting controlled release of drug during in vitro dissolution experiments.
Both encapsulation efficiency and release patterns are found to be dependent on the nature of the cross-linking
agent, amount of drug loading and % of LSA/Am/NaAlg The release was extended up to 12h and release rates
were fitted to an empirical equation to compute the diffusion parameters, which indicated non-Fickian or
anomalous trend release of pyronaridine.