In Vitro Testing of Xanthan/lignin Hydrogels as Carriers for Controlled Delivery of Bisoprolol Fumarate.

AIM To develop sustained release matrix tablets based on xanthan as highly water-soluble, cost-effective, non-toxic, easily available, and suitable hydrophilic systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS Xanthan and lignin epoxy-modified resin (LER) mixture were crosslinked using epichlorohydrin as crosslinking agent leading to superabsorbent hydrogels with high swelling rate in aqueous mediums. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS These hydrogels were tested as carries by the loading/delivery behaviour of bisoprolol fumarate in physiological conditions and based on the obtained results these hydrogels may show interest for application in medical and pharmaceutical areas. The amount of drug loaded in polymer networks was found to be ranging between 14.4% and 19.2%. Drug release was retarded and the release mechanism of the active principle was found to depend on matrix composition.