Fabrication of HPMC and Hibiscus esculentus (okra) gum based microspheres loaded with sulfasalazine and dexamethasone

The study was aimed to synthesize and characterize effective sustained release polymeric microspheres of sulfasalazine and dexamethasone by using okra gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). The solvent extraction technique was used to synthesize sulfasalazine and dexamethasone loaded okra gum/HPMC microspheres. Pods of Hibiscus esculentus was used to extract okra gum. FTIR, DSC and SEM studies were performed. Kinetic modeling were applied on dissolution release data to evaluate release pattern of drugs from prepared formulations. No interaction was observed between drug and polymers by FTIR study. Molecular dispersion of sulfasalazine and dexamethasone was observed by DSC studies. SEM analysis showed acceptable morphology of microsphere. Dissolution studies showed that drug release was retarded up to 8 h when Okra gum and HPMC were used in combination but contrarily, HPMC and Okra gum showed early release of drug when both were used alone. Okra gum/HPMC microspheres of sulfasalazine and dexamethasone were prepared triumphantly by solvent evaporation method. Recovery, entrapment effectiveness hydration and drug loading of microspheres, influenced by the concentrations of Okra gum/HPMC.