Comparative Study for In-vitro Evaluation of Metronidazole Prepared Using Natural Chitosan from Oyster Shells of Egeria radiata

Objective: The present study investigates the capability of preparing metronidazole loaded microspheres employing a natural chitosan extracted from oyster shells of Egeria radiata.

Methods: Microspheres were prepared by external gelation technique using tripolyphosphate (TPP) as the cross-linker. The drug to polymer ratio was selected at various levels of polymer-drug quantities with varying amount of TPP. The prepared microspheres were characterized for % yield, drug entrapment efficiency, surface morphology and drug release profile.

Results: Almost spherical, rough and porous microspheres were obtained. % yield and drug entrapment efficiency were found to be in the range of 63.5 – 70.8% and 63.4 – 77.5% respectively; and about 80% of the drug was released in about 6 hours.

Conclusion: The results revealed that formulation of metronidazole loaded microspheres in natural chitosan from an oyster shell can be used as a potential oral drug delivery system.