FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HYDROGEL WITH ASCORBIC ACID USING ALOE VERA GEL POWDER AS A DRUG CARRIER
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this study is to develop a controlled release hydrogel and to evaluate the efficiency of its drug delivery. Even though the synthetic polymer drug carriers will be safely metabolized, they will not impart any health benefit unlike the natural carriers such as starch and Aloe vera. Hence, in the present investigation in vitro release characteristics of ascorbic acid based hydrogel formulated using Aloe vera gel powder as a drug carrier and nutrient fortifying excipient has been used.
Methods: Hydrogel is a recent approach of sustained drug delivery which is advantageous because of its unique drug release patterns like swelling and diffusion. Vitamin C is a well known antioxidant which scavenges free radicals and Aloe vera enhances the bioavailability of vitamin C which is also protecting it from degradation along with its other essential properties.
Results: Various evaluation parameters have been carried out such as swelling studies and in vitro release studies. These evaluation studies results have shown that maximum swelling percentage was seen at pH 1.4 and least in distilled water which imparts that even in acidic medium the formulated hydrogel can outlive. Appreciable swelling was seen in pH 5.4 and 7.4. Furthermore, the hydrogel was seen to undergo disintegration in distilled water.
Conclusion: The in vitro release studies showed that the drug was released at a pre-determined rate over a controlled period of time hence it can be used in sustained drug delivery. The materials used in this study are bio available and biocompatible hence will not impart any toxicity and side-effects.
References
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