Development of double crosslinked sodium alginate/chitosan based hydrogels for controlled release of metronidazole...

Double network sodium alginate/chitosan hydrogels were prepared using calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and glutaraldehyde as the crosslinking agents by the ionotropic interaction method for controlled metronidazole release. The effect of polymer ratios and CaCl₂ amount is investigated by the developing porosity, gel fraction, and extent of swelling in simulated physiological fluids. Interaction between the polymers with the formation of crosslinked structures, good stability, phase nature, and morphology of the hydrogels is revealed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. A sodium alginate/chitosan hydrogel (weight ratio of 75:25) crosslinked with two percent CaCl₂ is chosen for the in-situ loading of 200 mg of metronidazole. The drug release kinetics using different models show that the best-fit Korsmeyer-Peppas model suggests metronidazole release from the matrix follows diffusion and swelling-controlled time-dependent non-Fickian transport related to hydrogel erosion. This composition displays enhanced antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.