The current study was aimed to develop extended release (ER) pellets formulations containing zaltoprofen as a model drug and cross-linked starch-κ-carrageenan (Sκ-C) hydrogel composite as a binder
and extended release polymer. The Sκ-C cross-linked hydrogel composites were prepared using a 32full factorial design approach and characterized by FTIR, DSC,
XRD and SEM analysis. The matrix pellets were prepared by extrusion-spheronization technique and characterized production yield, FTIR, DSC, XRPD, SEM, optical microscopy, flow characteristics,
mucoadhesiveness, in-vitro dissolution
and in-vivo pharmacokinetic
parameter. The FTIR interpretation of Sκ-C cross-linked hydrogel composite provides the significant result as a formation of hemiacetal group and keton group of glyoxal is abolished; hence it could
be satisfied that Sκ-C cross-linked hydrogel composite was formed. The optimized formulation (Sκ-C2) was contained 4:2 ratio of starch and κ-carrageenan of Sκ-C cross-linked hydrogel composite
showed in-vitro drug
release up to 99.15 ± 2.20%, and mucoadhesion of 94.00 ± 2.00 up to 14 h, respectively and in-vivo parameter
were showed decrease in C max and increase in t1/2 significantly and drug release >12 h. Hence it
was concluded that optimized formulation (Sκ-C2) showed acceptable release pattern, hence would be the viable alternative to ER type formulations.
