Development of pectin-poly (Vinyl pyrrolidone) blend micro beads for controlled release of 5-FU

In the present work we developed Pectin-poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PC-PVP) based micro beads using oil in water emulsion cross linking method employing Ca+2 as an ionic crosslinker. 5-fluorouracil drug was loaded into these beads via blending method. Various formulations were prepared by varying ratios of PC-PVP, crosslinker and % of 5-FU loading. Micro beads were characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), X-Ray diffraction(X-RD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DSC and XRD studies were performed to understand the crystalline nature of drug after encapsulation into semi IPN micro beads. SEM images gave the beads with smooth surface. FT-IR spectroscopy of micro beads shows to confirm the formation of co-polymerization between the polymers. The encapsulation efficiency was found up to 82% as measured using UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Drug release profiles of the semi IPN micro beads at gastro intestinal tract (GIT) fluids (pH 1.2 and 7.4) confirmed that beads formed are pH-sensitive, resulting controlled release of drug during in vitro dissolution experiments. It has been analyzed with an empirical equation to understand the diffusion nature of drug through the micro beads. Both encapsulation efficiency and release patterns are found to depend on the nature of the cross-linking agent as well as amount of drug loading and % of pectin-PVP. In-vitro release studies indicated that the beads have potentially used for site specific drug delivery for colon cancer.