EFFECT OF INTERPOLYMER COMPLEX-FORMATION OF CHITOSAN WITH PECTIN OR ACACIA ON THE RELEASE BEHAVIOR OF CHLORPROMAZINE HCL

The interpolymer complexes of chitosan with pectin and acacia were investigated using viscosity measurements. The binding ratios of the complexes were found to be 1:10 and 1:20 for chitosan-pectin and chitosan-acacia, respectively. The solid complexes were separated and dried to be used as tablet matrices. The release of the water-soluble chlorpromazine HCl from tablets containing various concentrations of each of the polymers alone, the complexes or physical mixtures of chitosan and of pectin and acacia in the same ratio of their respective complexes, was evaluated. Increasing the concentrations of the polymers, complexes or the physical mixtures in the tablets retarded drug release. The effect of different polymers on drug release was dependent on the gel property of the polymers and the drug-polymer interaction. The physical mixture displayed the most efficient sustained release. The results were explained.