Hydrogel-based intelligent delivery system for controlled release of diloxanide furoate

In current research work, pH responsive pectin-co-poly(MAA) hydrogels containing diloxanide furoate were developed by graft polymerization of pectin and methacrylic acid, for the treatment of amebiasis. Developed hydrogels were evaluated for drug loading efficiency, swelling behavior, porosity, sol–gel fraction and drug release kinetics. Ex vivo mucoadhesion, X-ray and acute oral toxicity studies were also conducted. Structural entanglement was revealed by FTIR spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) evaluation exhibited better thermal stability of developed hydrogel. The optimized hydrogel (PM6) showed pH responsiveness by providing maximum swelling of 95.16 ± 0.054% in alkaline media (pH 7.4), and 91.37 ± 0.53% drug release occurs in pH 7.4 up to 24 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of tiny channels in the network which significantly promote swelling of developed hydrogel. In vivo gastrointestinal transit behavior of optimized formulation (PM-6) was evaluated by X-ray imaging on albino rabbits. Acute oral toxicity studies after administered of developed hydrogel indicated no signs of histopathology or any dermal toxicity. Hence, current investigation suggests that PM6 could be a promising approach for colon delivery. Thus, the proposed work would be helpful for the treatment of amebiasis.