Abstract

Novel kappa-carrageenan (Kc)/halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanocomposite hydrogels were synthesized via physical crosslinking for the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) release. The influence of HNT nanoparticle content on Kc/HNT hydrogel properties such as thermal, swelling, drug loading and in vitro release was examined. Thermal results revealed that the incorporation of HNT nanoparticles enhanced the thermal stability of the nanocomposite hydrogels. Also, the nanocomposite hydrogels showed higher swelling, drug loading and release behavior compared to the pure Kc hydrogel. In vitro release from the Kc-HNT hydrogels exhibited that rhodamine B (RB), a cationic model drug, released higher than orange G (OG), an anionic model drug. RB in vitro release from the nanocomposite hydrogels reached to approximately 72%, while 54% of OG was released. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity test revealed that both Kc and Kc-HNT hydrogels are biocompatible. Taking together, it was shown that Kc-HNT hydrogels may have a great potential applications in oral drug delivery systems.

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