Drug Release from Polymer Thin Films and Gel Pellets: Insights from Programmed Microplate Electroanalysis

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Drug delivery systems require precise control over release kinetics.
• Characterizing drug release from polymer films is crucial for pharmaceutical development.
• Automated analytical techniques can improve the efficiency and accuracy of release studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Paracetamol (PCT) release from chitosan, synthetic polymers, and their blends using robotic electroanalysis.
• To compare the release profiles of PCT from different polymer film formulations.
• To evaluate the utility of automated microplate-based electroanalysis for release testing.

Main Methods:

• Robotic electroanalysis in 24-well microplates.
• Square-wave voltammetry in a potential window of 0.35 V-0.85 V vs. Ag/AgCl/0.1 M KCl.
• Preparation and testing of thin films of chitosan, pH-sensitive synthetic polymers, agarose, and their blends.

Main Results:

• Time-dependent PCT release was observed in acidic and basic media.
• Chitosan films demonstrated rapid, single-phase PCT release.
• Synthetic polymer films exhibited slower, sigmoidal PCT release profiles, with maximum release around 140-150 minutes.
• Agarose films showed intermediate release rates.
• Blends of agarose with chitosan or synthetic polymers displayed biphasic release behavior.
• Chitosan incorporation linearized the initial release phase in polymer blends.

Conclusions:

• Automated robotic electroanalysis provides a cost-effective, labor-efficient, and error-free method for acquiring release data.
• The microplate assay is validated as a useful option for release profile testing of pharmaceutical formulations.
• Polymer composition significantly influences PCT release kinetics, offering potential for tailored drug delivery systems.