Exploring pullulan-poly(vinyl alcohol) interpenetrating network microspheres as controlled release drug delivery device

In the present study, interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) microsphere was prepared using glutaraldehyde assisted water-in-oil emulsion crosslinking method for controlled delivery of pirfenidone, the only chemical entity approved by US FDA for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). In our study, the natural biopolymer pullulan was harnessed in combination with synthetic polymer PVA for drug delivery applications. The prepared microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, solid state C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The Ozawa-Flynn-Wall and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose isocon-versional models were employed to calculate the activation energy (Ea) from thermal kinetic study. The prepared microspheres were checked for its non-cytotoxicity and cell viability using MTT assay. Different kinetic models were fitted to explore the release kinetics and mechanism from the delivery device. The prepared microspheres could be a potential candidate for controlled delivery of pirfenidone. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.