Formulation and Evaluation of Cyperus esculentus (Tiger Nut) Starch-Alginate Microbeads in the Oral Delivery of Ibuprofen

Purpose Microencapsulation is a technique employed in the development of controlled drug delivery systems. It is beneficial in reducing dosing frequency, ensuring targeted drug delivery, and improving drug bioavailability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Cyperus esculentus starch and its derivative in the development of microbeads for sustained delivery of ibuprofen. Methods Ibuprofen-loaded microbeads were prepared by ionotropic gelation using Cyperus esculentus starch and its derivative in combination with sodium alginate at concentrations of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 and calcium chloride solution as cross-linker. Morphology of the microbeads by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were investigated. Entrapment efficiency, swelling capacity, mucoadhesion, and in vitro drug release were also evaluated. Results SEM showed that the microbeads were spherical to irregular in shape, FT-IR returned prominent peaks specific for ibuprofen and absence of new peaks, DSC revealed evidence of entrapment of ibuprofen in the microbeads, and entrapment efficiency ranged between 46.05 and 89.86%. Microbeads prepared with native and cross-linked starches showed better mucoadhesion, and those prepared with cross-linked starch blend exhibited highest swelling capacity. In vitro release was pH dependent, and increasing the concentration of cross-linked starch in the blend caused greater retardation of drug release (45.19%) than the formulations containing native starch-alginate blend or sodium alginate alone. Conclusion The blend of cross-linked Cyperus esculentus starch and sodium alginate shows propensity to sustain ibuprofen release and could be exploited for targeted delivery especially to the lower GIT.

Automated summary

Microencapsulation is an effective technique for developing controlled drug delivery systems, with the study showing that the blend of cross-linked Cyperus esculentus starch and sodium alginate can sustain the release of ibuprofen and potentially target delivery to the lower GIT. The prepared microbeads demonstrated spherical to irregular shapes, efficient drug entrapment, pH-dependent drug release, and increased mucoadhesion and swelling capacity with the use of cross-linked starch blends.