European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF THERMO-RESPONSIVE CHITOSAN-g-POLY N-ISOPROPYLACRYLAMIDE AS A CARRIER FOR CAPECITABINE

Vikrant Dhananjay Bhasme*, Anand Panchakshari Gadad, Archana Sidagouda Patil, Panchaxari Mallapa Dandagi

ABSTRACT

In the present study temperature responsive co-polymer chitosan-g-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (CS-g-PNIPAAm) was synthesized by surfactant free dispersion copolymerization method with varying molecular weights of chitosan and characterized for structural analysis by FTIR and lower critical solution temperature (LCST) determination by DSC. The synthesized co-polymers were efficiently loaded with Capecitabine and nanoparticles were evaluated for their morphology (SEM, TEM), particle size, zeta potential, loading efficiency, drug content and in vitro drug release study at pH 6.8 and 38o C temperature as well as at physiological pH and temperature conditions. FT-IR and DSC study showed that there was no interaction between drug and polymers. The drug loaded nanoparticles showed the smooth and spherical morphology with loading efficiency and drug content of about 68.18% and 44.16%, respectively. The in vitro drug release was significantly higher at tumor extracellular pH and temperature when compared to physiological pH and temperature. Stability studies carried out for formulation F3 showed that the nanoparticles are more stable at 4-8±20C. In conclusion, the synthesized co-polymer may have greater potential to be used as a thermo responsive carrier to achieve targeted drug delivery system for Capecitabine with low toxic side effects.

Keywords: Capecitabine, chitosan-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), self-assembly method, thermo responsive delivery.