Application and evaluation of layered silicate–chitosan composites for site specific delivery of diclofenac

The present study focuses on the in situ intercalation of anionic drug (diclofenac sodium, DS) and cationic polymer, Chitosan (CS) in montmorillonite (MMT) for drug release applications. The prepared DS/CS-MMT composites were further compounded with alginate (AL) to form beads to modify release response in gastric juice. The DS/CS-MMT composites were characterized by UV spectroscopy, XRD, FT-IR, TGA and DSC. Antibacterial assay of drug loaded composites was investigated and in vitro cell viability assay results point out the drug encapsulated in clay plates are less toxic to the cell than pristine drug. The in vitro release experiments revealed that the DS was released from DS/CS-MMT/AL in a controlled and pH dependent manner.