Preparation and evaluation of sulfasalazine loaded sodium alginate microbeads for sustained delivery

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of the work was to prepare and evaluate sulfasalazine loaded sodium alginate microbeads for sustained delivery for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Sulfasalazine has crystalluria, thrombocytopenia, and megaloblastic anemia as side effects, so to reduce side effect microbeads were prepared. Methods: The sulfasalazine microbeads were prepared by inotropic gelation method by optimizing process parameters such as concentration of calcium chloride, agitation speed, and time of agitation. The concentration of polymer sodium alginate was varied. Result: Among the five formulations, the best formulation was considered by comparing process parameters such as the entrapment efficiency, drug content, in vitro drug release studies, scanning electron microscope analysis, and zeta potential. Conclusion: On comparison, B3 formulation was considered as best formulation with a mean particle size ranging from 40.9 to 244 µm, drug content of 94.7%, entrapment efficiency of 87.7%, and the drug release was found to be 97.1% for 12 hrs and followed zero order kinetics and non-Fickian diffusional pathway, with a zeta potential value of -56.8 mV indicating higher stability.