Xanthan-Polyurethane Conjugates: An Efficient Approach for Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Development of effective topical drug delivery systems is crucial for localized treatment.
• Ketoconazole (antifungal) and piroxicam (anti-inflammatory) are key therapeutic agents.
• Xanthan and polyurethane offer potential as biocompatible matrix materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize novel topical drug delivery systems incorporating ketoconazole and piroxicam.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties and drug release kinetics of xanthan-polyurethane matrices.
• To assess the antimicrobial efficacy and drug release profiles of modified and unmodified xanthan-PU systems.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of ketoconazole and piroxicam into xanthan and oleic acid-esterified xanthan-polyurethane matrices.
• Mechanical testing (compressive stress, resilience, strength, peak sustainable strain).
• Drug release kinetics analysis using the Weibull model; assessment of antimicrobial effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Drug incorporation enhanced matrix compressive resilience and altered compressive strength and peak sustainable strain.
• Weibull model best described drug release kinetics; oleic acid-esterified xanthan-PU showed slower release.
• All developed materials exhibited antimicrobial effectiveness; higher piroxicam release from modified xanthan-PU.

Conclusions:

• Polyurethane-xanthan matrices, both modified and unmodified, show significant potential as topical drug delivery systems.
• These systems facilitate controlled release of ketoconazole and piroxicam with demonstrated antimicrobial activity.
• Material modification influences mechanical properties and drug release rates, offering tunable delivery options.