Core-shell alginate-ghatti gum modified montmorillonite composite matrices for stomach-specific flurbiprofen delivery

- Coated alginate-GG modified MMT composite matrices of FLU were developed.
- The core matrices were accomplished by ionotropic gelation method.
- A 32 factorial design was adopted to optimize the core matrices.
- The optimized matrices responded in accordance with the predicted values.
- Coated matrices showed improved gastroretention and sustained FLU release profile.

Novel alginate-arabic gum (AG) gel membrane coated alginate-ghatti gum (GG) modified montmorillonite (MMT) composite matrices were developed for intragastric flurbiprofen (FLU) delivery by combining floating and mucoadhesion mechanisms. The clay-biopolymer composite matrices containing FLU as core were accomplished by ionic-gelation technique. Effects of polymer-blend (alginate:GG) ratios and crosslinker (CaCl2) concentrations on drug entrapment efficiency (DEE, %) and cumulative drug release after 8 h (Q8h, %) were studied to optimize the core matrices by a 32 factorial design. The optimized matrices (F-O) demonstrated DEE of 91.69 ± 1.43% and Q8h of 74.96 ± 1.56% with minimum errors in prediction. The alginate-AG gel membrane enveloped optimized matrices (F-O, coated) exhibited superior buoyancy, better ex vivo mucoadhesion and slower drug release rate. The drug release profile of FLU-loaded uncoated and coated optimized matrices was best fitted in Korsmeyer-Peppas model with anomalous diffusion and case-II transport driven mechanism, respectively. The uncoated and coated matrices containing FLU were also characterized for drug-excipients compatibility, drug crystallinity, thermal behaviour and surface morphology. Thus, the newly developed alginate-AG gel membrane coated alginate-GG modified MMT composite matrices are appropriate for intragastric delivery of FLU over an extended period of time with improved therapeutic benefits.

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