Polymeric blends of okra gum/gelatin prepared by aqueous polymerization technique: their characterization and toxicological evaluation

Polymeric blends are attractive drug delivery systems in the current era to provide controlled, pH-sensitive or targeted release of different drugs, and these blends can increase patient compliance by reducing dosing frequency. The aim of this research study was to prepare controlled release pH-sensitive okra gum/gelatin-based polymeric blend (OKMA-GEL) through aqueous polymerization method. The cytarabine (CYTB) was loaded in OKMA-GEL, to treat various cancerous diseases. Different ingredients (polymers (okra gum and gelatin), monomer (methacrylic acid—MAA), initiator (ammonium peroxodisulfate—APS) and cross-linker (methylene bisacrylamide—MBA)) were utilized to synthesize OKMA-GEL. Various techniques including FTIR, SEM, TGA, DSC and PXRD were applied on blend samples in concern of characterization. FTIR study depicted different functional groups and confirmed the successful development of polymeric blend. SEM indicated the presence of porous surface which is responsible for water imbibition into blend. TGA and DSC indicated enhanced thermal stability. PXRD of polymeric blend exhibited minor crystallinity and extensive amorphous nature. Swelling dynamics and drug release behaviors were observed at 1.2 pH and 7.4 pH. In this regard, better swelling and drug release were achieved at high pH (7.4) which endorsed a pH-responsive polymeric blend. Toxicity studies of drug unloaded polymeric blends were executed on rabbits which showed no toxic effect in findings. Conclusively, nontoxic OKMA-GEL was successfully synthesized that can be utilized for controlled release of CYTB.