DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROSPHERES FROM NATURAL GUMS FOR CONTROLLED DELIVERY OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG

Kamarthi Deepthi*, Bariki Rajasekhar and Dr. N. M. Vageesh

ABSTRACT

The primary objective of this study was to develop and evaluate Propranolol HCl-loaded microspheres using natural polymers such as Carboxymethylated Xanthan Gum (CMX), Guar Gum, and Karaya Gum for sustained and controlled drug delivery. Propranolol HCl is a widely used beta-blocker for treating hypertension, arrhythmias, and epilepsy, but it requires frequent dosing due to its short half-life and low bioavailability. Controlled release formulations are therefore desirable to improve patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy. Microspheres were prepared by the emulsion cross-linking method and evaluated for various micromeritic properties, including particle size, bulk density, tapped density, and flow characteristics. The formulations were characterized for drug loading, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro release profiles. The results indicated that Formulation F4 exhibited the highest drug entrapment efficiency (92.19%) and a drug release profile best fitted to zero-order kinetics, suggesting a sustained and controlled release mechanism. The release followed a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism, indicating a combination of diffusion and polymer relaxation. The stability studies of the selected formulations, F1 and F8, demonstrated that the microspheres remained stable and compatible under the selected temperature and humidity conditions for 60 days. The results suggest that Propranolol HCl-loaded microspheres have the potential to serve as an effective oral controlled drug delivery system, improving the bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, and patient compliance for chronic conditions requiring long-term medication. This study provides a promising approach to sustained drug release via microspheres, contributing to the field of oral drug delivery systems for improved management of diseases like hypertension.

Keywords: Propranolol HCl, microspheres, controlled release, drug delivery, Natural polymers, Solvent evaporation; drug entrapment, zero-order kinetics.