Sodium Alginate

Cardiovascular disorders require long-term treatment and continuous medication adherence to achieve effective disease management. Carvedilol is an important antihypertensive and cardioprotective drug widely used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. However, its therapeutic performance may be affected by poor aqueous solubility, extensive first-pass metabolism, and limited oral bioavailability. These challenges highlight the need for a drug delivery system capable of providing prolonged drug release and maintaining therapeutic drug levels for an extended period. The present study focused on the development of Carvedilol-loaded microspheres using the ionotropic gelation technique. Sodium alginate was selected as the polymeric carrier because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and gel-forming ability in the presence of calcium ions. Microspheres were prepared by ionic cross-linking and subsequently evaluated for their physicochemical and release characteristics. Various parameters, including percentage yield, particle size, drug entrapment efficiency, flow properties, and in vitro drug release, were assessed to determine the suitability of the developed formulations. The prepared microspheres demonstrated satisfactory formulation characteristics with effective drug incorporation and controlled-release behavior. Drug release was prolonged due to the formation of a cross-linked polymeric matrix, indicating the potential of the system to sustain drug delivery over an extended period. The optimized formulation exhibited desirable pharmaceutical properties and a release profile suitable for sustained therapeutic action. The study demonstrates that ionotropically gelled Carvedilol microspheres can be successfully developed as a sustained-release delivery system. Such a formulation may contribute to improved therapeutic effectiveness, reduced dosing frequency, and enhanced patient convenience during long-term cardiovascular therapy.

Fucidin, a topical antibacterial agent indicated in the treatment of bacterial infections. It works by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis, specifically by preventing the translocation of the elongation factor G (EF-G) from the ribosome. The aim of the present study was to prepare topical gel by using gel forming polymers along with chitosan and to study the effect of the concentration of polymers, effect of alone Fucidin, combined effect of Aloe Vera with vitamin C on different gel parameters and wound healing activity. The gel formulations were prepared by soaking method using Carbopol 934p as gelling agent/gel base. IR spectroscopy studies suggested that the formulations prepared is a physical mixture and the drug is compatible with other excipients. The prepared gel formulations were evaluated for drug content, pH and rheological parameters like viscosity, spreadability and extrudability. The percentage release of Fucidin from plain gel was slow as compared to other drug loaded gel formulations. The formulation (F8) showed maximum percentage release (99.56%). All the gel formulations showed more than 80% reduction in wound contraction. The gel formulation containing Fucidin along with 1% chitosan and 1% sodium alginate showed 99.4% reduction in wound area after 12 days.