Development of Metronidazole-Loaded Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Based Hydrogel Using a Central Composite Design Method

Abstract

This study aims to prepare a hydrogel based on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). This hydrogel was prepared using citric acid to provide controlled release of the weak base metronidazole by forming an inclusion complex with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). A central composite design method was applied to determine the optimal variables for preparing a hydrogel of CMC, citric acid, polyethylene glycol-6000, and HPβCD. The hydrogel film was characterized in solid state by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses and evaluated in terms of swelling behavior, drug loading, and release. As a result of the evaluation made with the desirability function, the optimum condition was determined as 4.26% (w/v) CMC, 0.150% (w/v) citric acid, 1.33% (w/v) PEG-6000, and 1.60% (w/v) HPβCD with the experimental design according to the % swelling values at the 60th min. The in vitro release of the model drug metronidazole loaded into the hydrogel synthesized by the reverse phase liquid chromatography method was calculated as 73.42% ± 0.23%. The hydrogel prepared in this study has been shown to have the potential to be a suitable carrier for metronidazole.