Abstract

Radiation cross-linked carboxymethyl sago pulp (CMSP) hydrogel discs with a gel fraction of 9.21% w/w were prepared at the radiation doses of 25 kGy. CMSP disc was loaded with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride by immersing in drug solution and evaluated for loading efficiency. The drug was loaded into the pre-cross-linked hydrogel to avoid radiation-induced degradation of the loaded drug. Drug loading of each disc (2 ± 0.2 mm thickness and of 4 ± 0.4 mm diameter) was found to be 2.96 ± 0.36 mg. Infrared and thermal analysis revealed no polymer-drug interaction and transformation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride into ciprofloxacin base during the loading process. Thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy revealed the crystalline nature of the loaded drug. The hydrogels sustained the drug release over 24 h and could be developed as sterile inserts for ophthalmic application to treat eye infections. The drug release from the hydrogel found to follow the first order and anomalous transport mechanism.

Key words: Carboxymethyl sago pulp, radiation cross-linking, drug delivery, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, ophthalmic delivery