Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose grafted with polyacrylamide: Application in controlled release of 5-amino salicylic acid

In the present study, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose grafted with polyacrylamide (HPMC-g-PAM) hydrogel was evaluated in vitro as a potential carrier for controlled release of 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA). The graft copolymer was developed by grafting PAM chains onto HPMC backbone using potassium persulphate as initiator. The swelling behaviour of hydrogel based tablet was investigated as a function of pH and time in various buffer solutions similar to that of gastric and intestinal fluids. The % equilibrium swelling was found to be higher in case of simulated intestinal fluid (pH = 7.4) and lower in simulated gastric fluid (pH = 1.2), making an ideal matrix as required for colon specific drug delivery. The drug release study was performed at various pH values akin to the condition of GI tract. The release kinetics of 5-ASA showed non-Fickian diffusion behaviour. This indicates that the release is controlled by a combination of polymer relaxation or erosion of the matrix and diffusion of the drug from the swollen matrix.