Mechanistic Implication for Cross-Linking in Sterculia-Based Hydrogels and Their Use in GIT Drug Delivery

Sterculia gum has been used as a therapeutic agent to cure diverticulitis. Hydrogels developed from sterculia gum to release the therapeutic agent will be double curing in action. Therefore, in the present study, an attempt has been made to synthesize novel hydrogels for the release of the model drug ciprofloxacin, a drug for diverticulitis. This paper discusses the synthesis, characterization, and in vitro release of ciprofloxacin from drug-loaded hydrogels in solutions of different pHs and simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. A non-Fickian diffusion mechanism has been observed for the release of the drug from drug-loaded hydrogels. This article also discusses the mechanistic implications of the cross-linking of sterculia gum with methacrylamide in the presence of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (N,N'-MBAAm) cross-linker.