Preparation and Evaluation of Micro and Nano Cellulose for the Development of Solid Oral Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

newline quotThe objective of the present investigation was to develop economical, sustainable, scalable and eco-friendly process to derive micro crystalline cellulose (MCC) and nano cellulose (NC). Production of MCC was done by processing corn husks (CH) through different acid treatments and NC was produced by further processing extracted MCC through High Pressure Homogenization (HPH) and Acid Hydrolysis (AH) by adopting systematic approach, that is, Quality by Design (QbD). newlineThe most critical factors identified during risk assessment (acid concentration and time for AH whereas pressure and no of passes for HPH) were further optimized (using 32 full factorial design) and resultant formulations subjected to instrumental (FTIR, TGA, XRD, TEM and particle size) and physicochemical (Powder flow) characterization. On the basis of the results obtained, it was evident that AH-NC has higher thermal stability, crystallinity index and yield with narrow particle size distribution as well as excellent flow property when compared to marketed microcrystalline cellulose. Three different dosage forms - tablets, pellets and liquid solid powder were prepared using produced AH-NC and glibenclamide (GLB) as a model drug. newlineGLB tablets were prepared by direct compression using I optimal design with AH-NC/ MCC PH200, PVP K30 and starch. AH-NC tablets had better flow property, resolved weight variation problems and content uniformity as compared to MCC PH200 tablets. newlineGLB pellets were prepared by extrusion spheronization using box behnken design with AH-NC, starch and ethanolic solution of PVP K30. Optimized formulation of AH-NC Pellets showed better flow properties and good spherisity as compared to MCC PH200 pellets. newlineLiquisolid powder compact was prepared to enhance the solubility of drug. PEG 400 as non-volatile liquid, AH-NC as carrier and Aerosil 200 as coating agent were used in the formulation. Undoubtedly, AH-NC turned out as a more efficient carrier given smaller particle size and larger surface area when compared to MCC PH2