Chitosan-Pectin Composite Gel Spheres: Effect of Some Formulation Variables on Drug Release

Chitosan-pectin composite gel spheres were prepared by ionotropic gelation method. Pectin solution containing indomethacin, a model drug, was extruded into a mixture of chitosan and calcium chloride. The release behavior of indomethacin from composite gel spheres was investigated in-vitro. The influence of factors affecting release behavior, such as type of pectin, molecular weight of chitosan, cross-linking time and release medium, were discussed in this study. Adding chitosan into gelation medium could retard the release of indomethacin from gel spheres. The different type of pectin used demonstrated slightly different drug release profiles. The higher molecular weight of chitosan showed less indomethacin release than the lower one. The increased cross-linking time slowed the drug release from composite gel spheres. The release of indomethacin from composite gel spheres was also dependent on the release medium. The drug release was slower in tris buffer where no phosphate ions which can induce the precipitation of calcium phosphate. The results suggested that the composite gel spheres of pectin and chitosan could be used as a controlled release drug delivery carrier.