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Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles
Published on: August 28, 2015
Formulation and Evaluation of Polysaccharide Microparticles for the Controlled Release of Propranolol Hydrochloride
Aneta Stojmenovski1, Biljana Gatarić2, Sonja Vučen3
1Centre for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Save Mrkalja 16, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Insights
This study developed novel chitosan-coated microparticles for propranolol hydrochloride, offering a controlled-release pediatric dosage form. These microparticles show promise for improved drug delivery and patient compliance.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Materials Science
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Propranolol hydrochloride is used for pediatric conditions like hypertension and arrhythmias.
- Current liquid formulations have limitations: poor stability, bitter taste, and short half-life requiring frequent dosing.
- Controlled-release solid formulations, like microparticles, present a potential improvement for pediatric drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formulate propranolol hydrochloride microparticles using sodium alginate and polysaccharide polymers.
- To achieve controlled and prolonged drug release for pediatric use.
- To evaluate the potential of chitosan coating for enhanced microparticle characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Microparticles prepared via ionotropic gelation using extrusion technique.
- Physicochemical characterization included entrapment efficiency, drug loading, swelling index, size, rheology, and surface tension.
- Chitosan coating applied to selected formulations; further analysis by DSC, FTIR, and SEM.
Main Results:
- Chitosan-coated microparticles demonstrated favorable in vitro release properties.
- The formulation system showed potential for controlled and sustained release of propranolol hydrochloride.
- Characterization confirmed the physicochemical integrity and surface modification of the microparticles.
Conclusions:
- Chitosan-coated alginate-based microparticles offer a promising novel approach for pediatric propranolol hydrochloride dosage forms.
- The developed microparticles suggest improved drug delivery characteristics compared to existing liquid formulations.
- Further optimization is required to fully realize the therapeutic potential for pediatric patients.
Abstract:
Propranolol hydrochloride, a non-cardio-selective beta blocker, is used to treat several conditions in children, including hypertension, arrhythmias, hyperthyroidism, hemangiomas, etc. Commercial liquid formulations are available in Europe and the US, but they have disadvantages, such as limited stability, bitter taste, and the need for multiple daily doses due to the drug's short half-life. Considering these limitations, controlled-release solid formulations, such as microparticles, may offer a better solution for pediatric administration. The main objective of this study was to formulate an encapsulation system for propranolol hydrochloride, based on sodium alginate and other polysaccharide polymers, to control and prolong its release. Microparticles were prepared using the ionotropic gelation method, which involves instilling a polymer solution into a solution of gelling ions via the extrusion technique. Physicochemical characterization was conducted by assessing the entrapment efficiency, drug loading, swelling index, microparticle size, rheological properties, and surface tension. In order to improve the characteristics of the tested microparticles, selected formulations were coated with chitosan. Further experimental work included differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and SEM imaging. This in vitro release study showed that chitosan-coated microparticles demonstrate favorable properties, suggesting a novel approach to formulating pediatric dosage forms, although further optimization is necessary.
