Clay–polymer nanocomposites as a novel drug carrier: Synthesis, characterization and controlled release study of Propranolol Hydrochloride

Abstract Short half life of Propranolol Hydrochloride (PPN), an antihypertensive drug is a prime requirement to develop a formulation which could extend the release of PPN in the human body and also eliminate daily multiple dosage of PPN. In this study, a system of PPN loaded Montmorillonite–Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (Mt–PLGA) nanocomposites has been developed. PPN incorporated PLGA nanoparticles have been compared with Mt–PPN–PLGA nanocomposites. Mt was used as sustained release carrier for PPN with addition of biodegradable polymer PLGA by preparing Mt–PPN–PLGA nanocomposites by double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The drug encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity of synthesized products were estimated with HPLC including suitable analytical techniques to confirm the formation of clay–polymer nanocomposites (CPN). The release profile of encapsulated PPN in CPN shows pH dependent release in simulated gastrointestinal fluid for a period of 8 h. This study suggests that the methodologies used are suitable for the synthesis of Mt based PLGA nanocomposites with high drug encapsulation efficiency and controlled drug release characteristics and indicates that the Mt–PPN–PLGA nanocomposites are supposed to be better oral controlled drug delivery system, for a highly hydrophilic low molecular weight antihypertensive drug PPN to minimize the drug dosing frequency and hence improving the patient compliance.