Agar/β-Cyclodextrin Composite Cryogels for Controlled Release of Aripiprazole

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Aripiprazole (ARZ) is an essential atypical antipsychotic for treating various mental health disorders.
• Poor aqueous solubility of ARZ limits its therapeutic efficacy and necessitates advanced drug delivery systems.
• Natural products like agar and beta-cyclodextrin (CD) offer potential for developing novel drug carriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel cryogel drug delivery systems for aripiprazole (ARZ) using agar and beta-cyclodextrin (CD).
• To investigate the physicochemical properties and drug release characteristics of the developed ARZ-loaded cryogels.
• To assess the potential of these cryogels for improving ARZ solubility and bioavailability.

Main Methods:

• Cryogels were fabricated by cryogenic treatment of aqueous agar and beta-cyclodextrin/ARZ complex solutions, followed by thawing.
• Characterization included assessment of gel fraction, swelling degree, pore volume, elastic properties, and morphology.
• In vitro drug release studies were conducted in simulated gastric (pH 1.2) and intestinal (pH 6.8) media.

Main Results:

• The composite cryogels exhibited desirable physicochemical properties suitable for drug delivery.
• Aripiprazole release demonstrated pH-dependent behavior, with significantly slower release in acidic conditions.
• Over 48 hours, approximately 33% of the loaded ARZ was released under in vitro conditions.

Conclusions:

• Agar- and beta-cyclodextrin-based cryogels represent a viable drug delivery system for aripiprazole.
• The developed cryogels show potential for enhancing ARZ solubility and controlling its release profile.
• This natural product-derived system offers a promising platform for improving the therapeutic delivery of aripiprazole.