Synthesis of calcium carbonate-quince bio-composite for programmed and on-demand drug release of paracetamol at target site: a green chemistry approach

Abstract

In this study, an inorganic-organic composite system was developed through biomineralization of calcium carbonate in the quince-seed mucilage-based hydrogel. Drug-polymer interactions were studied by FTIR, DSC, XRD and SEM analysis. The water absorption capacity was calculated by swelling index. Drug release was determined at various pH. Several in vitro kinetic models were applied to observe drug release behaviour. Studies of drug-polymer interactions and particle flow characteristics of the developed composite material have shown that there is good compatibility between drug and the excipients. The XRD and SEM results confirmed calcite polymorphs in the developed composite material. Thermograms showed that the developed composite material was heat stable. A restricted drug release was observed in an acidic medium (pH 1.2). A controlled drug release was depicted from the developed system at pH 6.8. The drug release mechanism of Super Case II was suggested. The developed system was considered to be an effective drug carrier for colon targeted oral delivery of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to avoid gastric irritation and risk of ulceration.

Graphical abstract: An illustration of extraction of quince hydrogel and development of calcium carbonate-quince (CaCO₃-Q) composite system; QSM = Quince seed mucilage.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00289-022-04400-1.

Keywords: Biomineralization; CaCO3-qunice composite, inorganic–organic composite; Paracetamol; Polymer composites.

Fig. 1

Swellable capacity of the developed calcium carbonate-quince (CaCO₃-Q) composites; F^/1 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.005% quince c F^/2 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince d F^/3 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince

Fig. 2

FTIR spectra of quince mucilage, paracetamol and CaCO₃-Q composites A unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite a) quince seed mucilage; b) F^/1 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.005% quince c) F^/2 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince d) F^/3 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince B drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite a) quince seed mucilage; b) paracetamol c) F1 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.005% quince d) F2 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince e) F3 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince

Fig. 3

Thermogram of the developed calcium carbonate-quince (CaCO₃-Q) composites A unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite F^/1 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.005% quince; F^/2 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince; F^/3 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince B drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite F1 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.005% quince; F2 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince; F3 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince

Fig. 4

Diffractogram of the developed calcium carbonate-quince (CaCO₃-Q) composites A unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite a) quince seed mucilage; b) F^/1 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.005% quince c) F^/2 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince d) F.^/3 = unloaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince (B) drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite a) quince seed mucilage; b) paracetamol c) F1 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.005% quince d) F2 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince e) F3 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince C XRD pattern of calcium carbonate polymorphs a) aragonite b) vaterite c) calcite [published by Ming Ni and Buddy D. Ratner, a courtesy of Surf Interface Anal. 2008 Oct; 40(10): 1356–1361. 10.1002/sia.2904]

Fig. 5

SEM images of the drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composites A F1 = drug-loaded CaCO3-Q composite containing 0.005% quince B F2 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince C F3 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince. Upper row images captured at 1000 × magnification; lower row images captured at 5000 × magnification

Fig. 6

Drug release from the developed CaCO₃-Q composite A acidic medium (O.1 N HCl); B PBS at pH 6.8. F1 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.005% quince; F2 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.05% quince; F3 = drug-loaded CaCO₃-Q composite containing 0.5% quince