Rectorite Nanocomposite Beads As Drug Delivery Carrier: Intercalation and In Vitro Release of Diclofenac Sodium

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed at the formulation development of rectorite nanocomposite beads as drug delivery carrier and its evaluation.

Methods: SA/OR/DS nanocomposite beads were prepared by gelation technique. All the prepared samples were characterized and compared simultaneously by PXRD, SEM, FT-IR, and PSA (zeta sizer).

Results: For all batches of nanocomposite beads, there was no variation of the bead size. The large size of wet beads suggested high swelling and water retention capability. The average particle diameter of the optimized nanocomposite beads was found to be 68.8 nm, where as polydispersity index of particles was found to be 0.284.  The crystallite size of the nanocomposite beads was found to be around 87 nm from the calculations done by applying Scherrer equation. From the in vitro release study, it is confirmed that addition of clay decreases the release of drug at pH 7.4. It also confirmed that prepared biopolymer/clay nanocomposite beads exhibited extended release period of drug as compared to the pristine biopolymer sodium alginate.