DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF PH-SENSITIVE MICROGELS FOR ENHANCED CONTROLLED RELEASE OF SULFASALAZINE

Abstract

This research will focus on the design and development of pH-sensitive microgels for the controlled delivery of Sulfasalazine, aiming to improve the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Using the gelling properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), microgels will be synthesized via free-radical polymerization and tailored to release the drug in a pH-dependent manner. The system will be intended to protect Sulfasalazine from early degradation, enhance its bioavailability, and reduce gastrointestinal side effects commonly associated with conventional formulations. Characterization studies, such as swelling behavior, drug entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release at different pH levels, will be conducted to assess the performance of the microgels. Advanced analytical techniques, including FTIR, SEM, XRD, TGA, and DSC, will be employed to evaluate the structural, morphological, and thermal properties of the developed system. FTIR studies show the confirms successful drug loading confirms the chemical integrity of both the polymeric microgel and the encapsulated drug. The XRD analysis supports that pure Sulfasalazine remains highly crystalline, the CMC-cool(methacrylic acid) microgel is largely amorphous, and the drug-loaded microgel exhibits diminished drug crystalline peaks, consistent with drug incorporation and dispersion within the hydrogel matrix. Swelling behavior studies show that the higher swelling occurs on 7.4 pH. Ultimately, the study will aim to establish an efficient, sustained-release drug-delivery platform that improves patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes in the management of IBS.