pH-swelling chitosan–xanthan gels that hold acyclovir
Free-radical chitosan/xanthan/AMPS networks barely swell in acid but open in intestine-like pH, trapping up to 90.64% acyclovir.
Source
Chitosan/Xanthan Gum Based Hydrogels as Potential Carrier for an Antiviral Drug: Fabrication, Characterization, and Safety Evaluation
Study at a glance
- Design
- Other — Chitosan–xanthan–AMPS hydrogels for acyclovir loading, swelling, and pH-dependent release
- N
- Formulation study of hydrogel batches (e.g., FCX6/FCX8) — no subject N
- Population
- Acyclovir-loaded chitosan/xanthan graft hydrogels in SGF/SIF media
- Outcome
- Drug entrapment efficiency and 24 h release at pH 1.2 vs 7.4
Structured fields used in claim comparison tables when every cited study has a complete layer.
What they did
Authors graft-polymerized chitosan and xanthan with AMPS/MBA/KPS, confirmed the network by FTIR and porous SEM, measured swelling in SGF (pH 1.2) vs SIF (pH 7.4), and loaded 1% acyclovir to get %DEE and 24 h release.
What they found
Optimized FCX6: 90.64% entrapment and 87.57% release at pH 7.4; FCX8 minimum DEE 76.83%. Swelling rises with CS 4→8 g, XG 1→3 g, AMPS 15→35 g; extra MBA or too much KPS cuts swelling. Release is low at pH 1.2 and high at 7.4.
The limits
What it doesn't show
Human PK of the gel is not measured; acute oral toxicity in animals is a safety screen, not a clinical bioavailability trial.
Key terms
- AMPS
- 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, a hydrophilic ionic monomer.
- SGF vs SIF
- Simulated gastric (pH 1.2) vs intestinal (pH 7.4) fluids.
- %DEE
- Drug entrapment efficiency of acyclovir in the gel.
- MBA crosslinker
- N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide; more of it lowers swelling.
- pH-responsive swelling
- Network expansion when sulfonate/amine ionization increases at intestinal pH.
Flashcards
Research intelligence for this paper
See its role on concept claims, tensions it is part of, placement history, and related discoveries.
Quiz yourself
FCX6 entrapment efficiency:
Common questions
Best %DEE?
FCX6 90.64%.
Where does it swell?
Much more in SIF pH 7.4 than SGF pH 1.2.
Optimal CS/XG?
8 g CS and 3 g XG.
How is the network made?
Free-radical polymerization.
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