Novel blend microspheres of cellulose triacetate and bee wax for the controlled release of nateglinide

Blend microspheres of cellulose triacetate (CTA) and bee wax (BW) were prepared by oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion/solvent evaporation method for investigating the controlled release (CR) of nateglinide (NTG), an antidiabetic drug with a plasma half-life of 1.5 h. The novel carrier was analyzed for surface morphology, particle size, drug–polymer interactions, physical state of the encapsulated drug and micromeritic properties. In vitro release experiments were performed in simulated gastric (pH 1.2) and intestinal pH (7.4) media that was affected by blend composition and initial drug loading. In vitro release data were analyzed by empirical equations to understand the release profile of NTG