Abstract:

In the study, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) spheres were obtained by crosslinking Zn2+ ions to encapsulate flurbiprofen (FBP), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug. The spheres obtained were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and their diameters were measured using an optical microscope. In addition, equilibrium swelling degrees, entrapment efficiencies, sphere yield values and release profiles of the spheres were evaluated. The effects of NaCMC concentration, FBP loading and pH on sphere yield, entrapment efficiency and FBP release were investigated. The release of flurbiprofen from the spheres was very low in pH 1.2 environment, whereas the release occurred in a controlled manner in the pH 7.4 intestinal environment. As the NaCMC concentration and FBP loading increased, FBP release from the spheres decreased and the highest drug release was observed in spheres with a NaCMC concentration of 2% and a drug loading of 10%. The release kinetics were mostly described as Case II.

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