PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN/CHITOSAN IMPLANTS AS A CONTROLLED BIODEGRADABLE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

This work aimed to prepare and evaluate physically crosslinked implantable matrices based on chitosan as a site-specific delivery of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CFX.HCl) for the prevention of post-surgical wound infection. Biodegradable matrices were prepared from chitosan and different polyanion polymers by direct compression. The potential of formulation variables on the in-vitro drug release from polymeric matrices has been studied. A matrix system of CFX.HCl based on the polyanion complex of chitosan and pectin showed a sustainable drug release over three days. The swelling and in-vitro drug release experiments suggested that complex formation between chitosan and pectin has occurred at ratio 1:2. The results also suggested that CFX.HCl release from chitosan matrices was markedly influenced by the nature of polyanion polymers, mixing ratio and total weight of matrices, whereas the compression force did not significantly affect the drug release. With increasing CFX.HCl loading, a decrease of the percent cumulative release was observed. Approximately 13% of loaded drug was released from matrix containing 25% w/w drug during 72 hrs in phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Fitting the in-vitro drug release data to Korsmeyer equation indicated that combined effect of diffusion and polymer chain relaxation could be the mechanisms of drug release. Microbiological simulated test revealed the efficient microbial inhibitory effect of chitosan: pectin (1:2) matrix with 25% drug load over extended period of time. In conclusion: Cross-linked chitosan implantable device for septic wounds or post surgical treatment with antimicrobial capability and wound healing properties was developed to serve as a site-specific delivery system for antibiotics.