Spray Drying: Microencapsulation of polymers with the potential for controlled drug release in the gastrointestinal tract
Keywords:
Polymers, Spray Dryer, Encapsulation, Gastrointestinal tract, Drug release.Abstract
The development of intestinal drug delivery systems has received increasing attention due to their clinical importance. The efficient and targeted administration of drugs in the gastrointestinal tract is crucial for the treatment of various diseases, increasing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing side effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of encapsulating Guar Gum and Eudragit S100, with a view to protecting the drug in the gastric juice and its controlled release in the intestine. Different concentrations of dried polymers were tested using the spray drying technique, with optimization of parameters such as temperature and air flow. The particles produced were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis. The results showed that after spray drying, the particles presented standardized and spherical morphologies, with sizes between 3 and 9 µm. The systems maintained their chemical characteristics, as evidenced by the main FTIR bands, such as 1420 cm-1, corresponding to the bonding of the esterified groups of Eudragit S100, and the 744-1251 cm-1 band, corresponding to the coupled stretching vibrations of C-O-C, C-C-O, and C-OH of Guar Gum. Thermal analysis confirmed the increased thermal stability and degradation of the system after drying, with a maximum degradation peak at 380 °C. However, it is inferred that the encapsulation of Guar Gum + Eudragit S100, using the spray drying technique, has potential as an effective system for the release of drugs into the intestine. The protection conferred by the polymers against gastric juice and the controlled release in the small intestine represent a promising approach for the formulation of optimized pharmacological therapies. This technique can be applied to the development of new treatments for gastrointestinal diseases, helping to improve the efficacy and safety of drugs.
