An Insight on the Swelling, Viscoelastic, Electrical, and Drug Release Properties of Gelatin–Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrogels

<p>The present study reports the in-depth analysis of the gelatin–carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels. The composite system formed phase-separated hydrogels, which is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The swelling of the carboxymethyl chitosan-containing hydrogels was lower than the gelatin hydrogel. Macroscale deformation study using a static mechanical tester indicated a viscoelastic nature of the hydrogels. A decrease in the impedance of the hydrogels was observed with an increase in the carboxymethyl chitosan content. The drug release from the hydrogels was predominantly Fickian diffusion mediated and was released in its active form. The results suggested the potential use of the hydrogels as drug delivery matrices.</p

Synthesis of Vegetable Fat Containing Chitosan Microparticles with Improved Physical and Delivery Properties

<p>The present study describes the encapsulation of vegetable fats (cocoa butter and mango butter) within chitosan microparticles by double emulsion technique to prevent leaching of the internal apolar phase. Leaching studies suggested negligible leaching of the internal phase (∼12–14%) when the fats were encapsulated as compared to the control (∼40%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimeter studies confirmed the successful encapsulation of fats. The release of drug (ciprofloxacin) from the microparticles was diffusion and erosion mediated and were capable to elicit antimicrobial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The study suggests that the developed microparticles have the potential for controlled delivery of antimicrobials.</p

Development and Characterization of Soy Lecithin and Palm Oil-based Organogels

<div><p>Preparation and characterization of soy lecithin (SL) and palm oil (PO) based organogels have been reported in this study. The optimization of the composition of the organogels was carried out by varying the proportions of SL, PO and water. Microscopic studies suggested the presence of aqueous phase either as spherical droplets or fluid filled fibers or both, depending on the composition of the organogels. FTIR study indicated strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the organogel components. The release of metronidazole (model drug, MZ) suggested diffusion mediated drug release. MZ loaded organogels showed good antimicrobial property against <i>B. subtilis</i> and <i>E. coli.</i></p> </div

Preparation, Characterization and Assessment of the Novel Gelatin–tamarind Gum/Carboxymethyl Tamarind Gum-Based Phase-Separated Films for Skin Tissue Engineering Applications

<p>The current study delineates the development of novel gelatin–tamarind gum/carboxymethyl tamarind gum-based phase-separated films for probable skin tissue engineering applications. Polyethylene glycol was used as plasticizer. The films were characterized thoroughly using mechanical tester and impedance analyzer. Cell proliferation ability and drug release properties of the films were investigated. Mechanical studies indicated composition-dependent stress relaxation properties. Polysaccharide containing films supported better proliferation of human keratinocytes as compared to control. Drug-loaded films showed good antimicrobial properties against <i>Escherichia coli</i>. Analysis of the results indicated that the prepared films may be tried as matrices for skin tissue engineering.</p

Understanding the Effect of Tamarind Gum Proportion on the Properties of Tamarind Gum-Based Hydroethanolic Physical Hydrogels

<p>The present study reports the analysis of properties of tamarind gum-based hydroethanolic physical hydrogels. The extent of hydrogen bonding in hydrogels decreased with an increase in tamarind gum content. The hydrogel with the highest tamarind gum content was found to be highly stable in terms of mechanical properties. There was a decrease in the resistive component of the hydrogels with an increase in tamarind gum content. The drug release from the hydrogels increased with an increase in the tamarind gum content. The antimicrobial activity of the drug-loaded hydrogels against <i>Escherichia coli</i> was excellent.</p

An in-Depth Analysis of the Swelling, Mechanical, Electrical, and Drug Release Properties of Agar–Gelatin Co-Hydrogels

<p>Agar–gelatin-based co-hydrogels were prepared with different compositions of the agar and the gelatin fractions. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding was higher in the co-hydrogels as compared to the gelatin hydrogel. Swelling studies indicated diffusion-mediated swelling. The electrical stability of the co-hydrogels was higher as compared to the gelatin hydrogel. Though the firmness of the co-hydrogels was higher, Weichert model of viscoelasticity indicated that the inherent mechanical stability of the gelatin hydrogel was superior. The release of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride was predominately Fickian diffusion-mediated. In gist, the co-hydrogels can be tried as polymeric constructs for controlled drug delivery applications.</p