Development and optimization of modified release IPN macromolecules of oxcarbazepine using natural polymers.

The study shows development and optimization of modified release interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) macromolecules (beads) of oxcarbazepine using sodium alginate-egg albumin prepared by ionotropic gelation method and CaCl2 as a cross-linker. Independent variables were identified based on preliminary study of investigation. The effect of amount of both polymers on drug entrapment efficiency (DEE,%), bead size (μm) and cumulative drug release at 8 h (Q8h, %) were optimized using 3(2) factorial design. The DEE, average size and Q8h were found in the range of 65.08-91.02%, 976-1084 μm and 73.50-94.06% respectively. The beads were also characterized by FTIR, DSC, SEM and XRD. The experiential responses were coincided well with predicted values obtained by Design-Expert(®) 8.0.6.1 software. The swelling of beads were influenced by the pH of a release medium. The in vitro drug release from IPN beads exhibited sustained release Hixson-Crowell pattern with anomalous non-Fickian diffusion mechanism concluding that the developed sodium alginate-egg albumin IPN composite beads are suitable for sustained delivery of oxcarbazepine for desired period.