Acrylic acid grafted guargum–nanosilica membranes for transdermal diclofenac delivery

Green, hydrophobic device for controlled transdermal release of diclofenac sodium was designed from in situ nanosilica/acrylic acid grafted guargum membranes. Best grafting condition was assigned and nanocomposites were formed in situ using varying proportions of aqueous nanosilica sol. Nanocomposite/drug conjugates were formed by bringing down the medium pH from 9.0 to 7.0. The conjugates were characterized through infrared and solid state NMR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, hydro-swelling, surface contact angle, viscometry and biocompatibility. Most balanced property was exhibited by the membrane containing 1 wt% nanosilica. It also had shown the highest encapsulation efficacy vis-à-vis slowest release as compared to others during experimentation in a Franz diffusion cell.