Production and characterization of chitosan-based films associated with other biopolymers for the controlled release of anti-inflammatory agents

Author(s)

Itiara Gonçalves Veiga

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química
• Defense date: 2012-11-14

Examining board members

Angela Maria Moraes; Marisa Masumi Beppu; Mariana Altenhofen da Silva; Luismar Marques Porto; Ana Maria Antunes Dias

• Advisor: Hermínio Cipriano de Sousa; Angela Maria Moraes; Paulo de Tarso Vieira e Rosa

Abstract

The human body is covered by approximately 2 m2 of skin. Skin lesions, in addition to cause physical, mechanical and/or thermal damages, may also affect the physiological functions of other tissues. Membranes developed to treat lesions can be constituted by several types of polymers, being chitosan one of the most studied. Polysaccharides such as alginate, xanthan, pectin, guar gum and arabic gum are capable to form complexes with chitosan that may contribute to improve the properties of membranes used as wound dressings. In this context, this work aimed the development of methodologies to prepare chitosan-based membranes and their characterization, intending to select adequate formulations to be used as delivery devices for three anti-inflammatory agents, namely sodium diclofenac, ketoprofen and piroxicam.The drugs were incorporated by three techniques: addition directly into the polymeric mixture, absorption of drug from solution and supercritical impregnation. The membranes were characterized regarding to morphology, thickness, tensile strength, strain at break, swelling capacity in different aqueous solutions, percentage of mass loss after prolonged exposure to the same media, vapor sorption and permeability, biocompatibility in vitro, drug incorporation efficiency and release kinetic. Chitosan membranes associated with xanthan, pectin or guar gum were successfully prepared and showed properties suitable for the processes of drug incorporation. The incorporation of sodium diclofenac and piroxicam through the three methods proposed was performed, and the most appropriate results were attained when drug addiction was performed during membrane processing. It was also possible to incorporate sodium diclofenac by absorption, but low incorporation efficiencies were observed (below 2.7%) in the presence of the supercritical fluid. For piroxicam and ketoprofen, low incorporation efficiencies were obtained by absorption (less than 1%), but significant results have been achieved in the process at high pressure. Under the conditions tested, the release of all drugs occurred in the first hour of contact, what indicated that the membranes produced were not capable to control the release of the active agents used (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/00225-7 - Production and characterization of membranes based on chitosan and polianions for the controlled delivery of antiinflammatory drugs for skin lesion therapy
• Grantee: Itiara Gonçalves Veiga
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate