Design and optimization of pantoprazole sodium mucoadhesive hydrogel microcapsules for the healing of peptic ulcers

Hydrogels have gained much focus as a gastro-retentive technology for drug delivery. The current study aimed to design an oral mucoadhesive sustained-release dosage form to lower peptic ulcer complications (PUC). Using the Box-Behnken statistical design, the preparation method was developed by incorporating pantoprazole sodium (PZS) into hydrogel microcapsules (HGMC). The PZS was incorporated into the HGMC via an ion gelation technique, with sodium alginate as the gelling agent, calcium chloride as the crosslinking agent, and chitosan as the agent for sustained release. The optimized formulation of PZS-HGMC showed a diameter of 2.506 mm, a swelling rate of 838.2%, and an encapsulation efficiency of 93.8%. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the microcapsules’ spherical shape. The in vitro release of the PZS from the HGMC after two hours in a simulated gastric fluid was 13.2%1±0.08%, compared with the apparent solubility of the pure PZS under the same conditions (95.24%±3.2%). After 24 hours, the percent of PZS released from the optimized formula was 69.84±2.4%, which indicates a sustained release pattern. The results from the in vivo study demonstrated improved healing of the induced ulcers in rats when treated with the PZS-HGMC formulation as compared to the standard PZS therapy; therefore, the obtained mucoadhesive HGMC was considered a potential drug delivery strategy for PUC therapy.