Effect of Polymer Concentration and Crosslinking Time On Drug Release from Microspheres of Mucuna Gum

The study investigated the feasibility of delivering diclofenac sodium in microspheres of mucuna gum and whether polymer concentration and crosslinking time would affect drug release. Diclofenac sodium microspheres were successfully prepared using the chemical and thermal crosslinking method. Gluteraldehyde was used as the crosslinking agent. Thereafter, invitro release of diclofenac sodium from the microspheres was evaluated using simulated intestinal fluid as the medium. Increase in mucuna gum concentration did not delay rate of drug release but increased total cumulative drug released. Increase in crosslinking time slowed down release of the drug from the microspheres, an indication that modification of crosslinking time is important for sustained release. This could contribute towards producing sustained release diclofenac sodium which will improve patient compliance as a result of subsequent reduction in dosing frequency. None of the batches gave 100% drug release. This being the case, drug loading can be modified for optimum therapeutic effect.