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. 2022 Jul 28;17(7):e0271623.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271623. eCollection 2022.

Development, characterization and In-vitro evaluation of guar gum based new polymeric matrices for controlled delivery using metformin HCl as model drug

Akram Ashames  1   2 , Kaleem Ullah  3   4 , Moawia Al-Tabakha  1   2 , Shujaat Ali Khan  3 , Nageeb Hassan  1   2 , Abdul Mannan  3 , Muhammad Ikram  5 , Manal Buabeid  1   2 , Ghulam Murtaza  5
Affiliations

Development, characterization and In-vitro evaluation of guar gum based new polymeric matrices for controlled delivery using metformin HCl as model drug

Akram Ashames et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Currently, hydrogels are considered as ideal biomaterials due to their unique structure and characteristics that facilitates considerable hydrophilicity, swelling, drug loading and release. In this study, we report pH-responsive GG-MAA-AMPS hydrogel delivery system prepared via free radical polymerization technique. Hydrogels were loaded with Metformin HCl as a model drug. Hydrogels were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR confirmed the successful crosslinking of reactants, hydrogel network formation and drug loading. TGA and DSC proved the higher thermal stability of reactants after crosslinking and drug loading. XRD analysis showed decrease in crystallinity of drug after loading into the hydrogels. SEM revealed smooth and glassy appearance of both loaded and unloaded hydrogels. Gel content was increased with increase in concentration of reactants. Drug entrapment was decreased by increasing concentration of GG and AMPS while MAA acted inversely. Hydrogels displayed pH-dependent swelling and drug release behavior being high at pH 6.8 and 7.4 while low at acidic pH (1.2). Oral tolerability in rabbits showed that hydrogels were safe without causing any hematological or histopathological changes in healthy rabbits. Based on the obtained results, GG-MAA-AMPS can be considered as potential carrier for metformin HCl as well as other hydrophilic drugs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Proposed structure of GG-AMPS-MAA hydrogels.
Fig 2
Fig 2. FTIR spectra of GG, AMPS, MAA, Metformin HCl, unloaded and drug-loaded hydrogels.
Fig 3
Fig 3. XRD patterns of Metformin HCl, unloaded and drug-loaded hydrogels.
Fig 4
Fig 4. TGA curves of GG, AMPS, Metformin HCl, unloaded and drug-loaded hydrogels.
Fig 5
Fig 5. DSC curves of GG, AMPS, Metformin HCl, unloaded and drug-loaded hydrogels.
Fig 6
Fig 6
Surface micrographs (6-A and 6-C) of unloaded and drug-loaded hydrogels. Cross-sectional micrographs (6-B and 6-D) of unloaded and drug-loaded hydrogels respectively.
Fig 7
Fig 7. Histopathological micrographs of heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, stomach and intestine of control and treatment groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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