Spray-dried chitosan-magnesium aluminum silicate microparticles as matrix formers in controlled release tablets

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize chitosan-magnesium aluminum silicate (chitosan-MAS) microparticles, which can be used as matrix formers in sustained release tablets. The chitosan-MAS composites were prepared using spray drying. Physicochemical and micromeritic properties of the spray-dried chitosan-MAS microparticles were investigated. Furthermore, physical properties and drug release kinetics of the respective chitosan-MAS tablets were characterized. The results showed that spray-dried chitosan-MAS microparticles had a spherical shape with a rough surface. An exfoliated nanocomposite was formed due to molecular interaction between chitosan and MAS and immediate drying at high temperatures. The spray-dried chitosan-MAS microparticles possessed better flowability than the spray-dried chitosan microparticles. The incorporation of MAS at higher ratios resulted in an increased hardness of spray-dried chitosan-MAS tablets when increasing the compression pressure. The swelling capacity of spray-dried chitosan-MAS tablets decreased with increasing MAS ratios in acidic and neutral media. Drug release behavior of the tablets was affected by matrix swelling and erosion processes. Additionally, the tablets prepared using the spray-dried 1:0.6 chitosan-MAS microparticles displayed the slowest drug release in acidic conditions. These findings suggest that the spray-dried chitosan-MAS microparticles show strong potential for use as a matrix forming agent in tablets intended for sustaining drug release.

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