Polymeric implants of diclofenac for site specific and prolonged drug delivery for use in orthopedic or arthritic patients.

Abstract

In the present study, diclofenac loaded implants were prepared for prolonged and site specific drug delivery in orthopedics and other related areas. The polymeric biodegradable implants of diclofenac were prepared using sodium alginate and gelatin by solvent evaporation method. The prepared implants were characterized for various physico-chemical parameters (like visual appearance, thickness, weight variation, drug content, formaldehyde test) and in-vitro drug release (in franz diffusion cell). The surfaces of prepared implants were smooth and shiny with yellow colour. Drug content was found to be 98.56 ± 1.98 and 97.99 ± 1.60 % for formulation F1 and F2, respectively. Both formulations of implant were free from free formaldehyde. In the in vitro drug release study the drug release across the membrane was 95.11 ± 2.26 and 91.66 ± 2.08 % at the end of 24 h. The implants prepared with gelatin and sodium alginate in 3:1 ratio was concluded to be the better formulation. The study concluded that the biodegradable implants of diclofenac might be effective in orthopedics for getting prolonged drug release.