DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF CURCUMIN LOADED IN SITU GEL USING N-ACYL CHITOSAN DERIVATIVE FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Abstract

This study demonstrates the modification of chitosan into N-Butyryl chitosan, N-Octanoyl chitosan, N-Lauryl chitosan, and N-Palmitoyl chitosan. These modified chitosan’s were synthesized and characterized using FTIR, XRD, and DSC to confirm the successful attachment of the acyl groups at the amino position. The N-acylated chitosan’s were then loaded with the drug curcumin and evaluated for drug loading capacity and swelling index. It was observed that as the carbon chain length increased, solubility also improved, leading to a higher swelling index. The insitu gelling system was compressed into tablets and enterically coated. Invitro release studies were conducted by exposing the gel to both acidic and basic environments. The enteric coating prevented drug release in the acidic environment, while in phosphate buffer at pH 6.8, drug release occurred. These findings suggest that hydrophobically modified acylated chitosan can be effective for achieving sustained drug release, controlled by the acylation modification.