The present investigation is aimed to develop a new formulation containing chemically cross-linked guar gum microspheres loaded with aspirin for targeting colorectal cancer. The emulsification polymerization method involving the dispersion of aqueous phase of guar gum in castor oil was used to prepare microspheres. Characteristics of microspheres were greatly affected by varying guar gum concentration, glutaraldehyde concentration with 5% v/v span 80, at 800-1000 rpm stirring rate, for a period of 4 h stirring time at 50ºC. Particle size and surface morphology of the microspheres were determined using SEM and phase contrast microscopy. The in vitro release was investigated in simulated gastro intestinal medium of different pH and phosphate buffer saline with and without rat ceacal contents, which was found to be affected by changing the concentration of guar gum and glutaraldehyde. The drug release in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) and simulated gastric fluids followed a similar pattern and had a similar release rate, while a significant increase in drug release (83.23%) was observed in the medium containing 3 % rat ceacal content. In this way, aspirin loaded guar gum microspheres have shown promising results in the management of colorectal cancer.
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