Evaluation of microcrystalline chitosan properties as a drug carrier. Part II. The influence of microcrystalline chitosan on release rate of ketoprofen.

The effect of microcrystalline chitosan (MCCh) as hydrogel and dried gel (film) on the release of ketoprofen (KTA) was studied in vitro. Commercial ketoprofen gel (Profénid gel) was applied as a reference preparation for MCCh hydrogel, pure as well as in combination with methylcellulose (MC) and hydrophilising agents (1,2-propylene glycol and glycerol). The quantity of the released drug was determined by ultraviolet spectroscopy. IR spectroscopic analysis, proton magnetic resonance (1H NMR), powder X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies verified physical and chemical interactions between chitosan and ketoprofen. The influence of these interactions on the ketoprofen release from the hydrogel and film was analysed. It was found that microcrystalline chitosan may be used as a polymer drug carrier.