Preparation of microspheres by alginate purified from Sargassum horneri and study of pH-responsive behavior and drug release

Alginate is a biopolymer used in numerous biomedical applications. The current work describes the purification of alginate from Sargassum horneri and method optimization for formulating drug-loaded microparticles by water-in-oil emulsification/internal gelation. Molecular weights of S. horneri alginate were ranging 50-70 kDa. Among 16 method optimizations, the F4 method was selected for further studies based on shape descriptor parameters which indicated, 0.24 +/- 0.01 circularity, 0.80 +/- 0.11 roundness, 1.27 +/- 0.20 aspect ratio between long and short axis, and less aggregation in PBS. Processing parameters of the F4 method were; CaCO3/alginate ratio of 20/1 (w/w), 5% span 80 in oil (v/v), water/oil phase ratio of 1/20 (v/v), and 1000 rpm emulsification speed. Hollow pores were visible on the surface of dehydrated F4 microparticles. F4 microparticles indicated 41.84 +/- 2.93 and 45.86 +/- 1.65% encapsulation efficiencies for phloroglucinol (F4P) and indomethacin (F4I) with 32.69 +/- 1.35 and 31.69 +/- 1.98% loading capacities. These microparticles were found to be desirable for extending drug release over short periods (0-3 days) under pH 2.0-7.4. F4P and F4I were effective in suppressing intracellular reactive oxygen species in FD exposed HaCaT cells while increasing cell viability over 24 -48 h duration.

Automated summary

This study describes the purification of alginate from Sargassum horneri and the optimization of a method for formulating drug-loaded microparticles. The optimized F4 method produced hollow porous microparticles, which exhibited sustained drug release and protective effects on cells.