Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan-tripolyphosphate hydrogel for extended release of anti-tuberculosis drugs

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-chitosan-tripolyphosphate hydrogels were prepared using a solvent casting-evaporation method to obtain anti-TB drugs extended release formulations. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope results indicated that chitosan reduced the crystallinity of PVA hydrogels and the polymers formed homogeneous mixtures. The added chitosan reduced the encapsulation efficiency, and, the rate of drug release. The profile release of the four drugs indicated that the formulation of 80% PVA-20% chitosan hydrogel matrix had the highest drug release rate in a short period of time in phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.4. The maximum drug loading efficiency was obtained in a matrix formulation contain only PVA, while the addition of sodium tripolyphosphate increased the drug loading efficiency and also reduced the amount of drug released. The hydrogel matrix formulation of PVA-chitosan-tripolyphosphate showed its potential to be used as an extended delivery system for anti-TB drugs.