Controlled drug release from cross-linked κ-carrageenan/hyaluronic acid membranes

In this work, hydrogel membrane composed of; kappa carrageenan (kappa C) and hyaluronic acid (HA) crosslinked with epichlorohydrine is produced. The optimum condition has been established based on their water absorption properties. Tensile strength (TS) and elongation (E%) for the formed films are evaluated. The obtained films were characterized by FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal analysis. All membranes were loaded with L-carnosine as a drug model. The swelling properties and kinetics of the release of the model drug from the crosslinked hydrogel membrane were monitored in buffer medium at 37 degrees C. The equilibrium swelling of films showed fair dependency on the high presence of HA in the hydrogel. Moreover, the cumulative release profile increased significantly and ranged from 28% to 93%, as HA increases. SEM explored that, the porosity increased by increasing HA content; consequently, drug release into the pores and channels of the membranes is facilitated. In addition, water uptake % increased as well. A slight change in IS occurred by increasing the HA% to kappa C, while the highest value of strain for kappa C membrane was 498.38% by using 3% HA. The thermal stability of the kappa C/HA was higher than that of HA. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.