Géis de goma do cajueiro e derivados com quitosana - síntese, caracterização e ensaios preliminares em sistemas de liberação de fármacos.

Abstract

Gels of cashew gum (CG) and/or derivatives with chitosan (CH) were synthesized by three different routes: polyelectrolyte complexation, re-acetylation of chitosan and by Schiff-base reaction mechanism. Chitosan/carboxymehtyl cashew gum polyelectrolyte complexes were synthesized using different chitosan (CH) and carboxymethyl cashew gum (CMCG) proportions. Polyelectrolyte (PEC) samples were characterized by potenciometric and conductimetric titrations, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and swelling behaviour. PEC samples were obtained in non stoichiometric charge ratio. The [NH3 +]:[COO-] ratio depends on the CMCG degree of substitution of and addition order of polyion during complexation. PEC samples were soluble in acidic medium. In pH >7.0 the in vitro release of sodium and potassium diclofenac (SDC and KDC respectively) occurred very quickly by a non Fickian mechanism. Crosslinking of PEC sample allowed it to be used in acidic medium. The controlled release of SDC in pH 1.2 was observed following also a non Fickian mechanism. Gels prepared by re-acetylation of chitosan and CH/cashew gum with acetic anhydride were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and swelling behaviour in water and in phosphate buffers. The release of pilocarpine for all reacethylated gels was shown to be similar in the first 100 min, where about 60 % of the pilocarpine was released. After this time, addition of CG to the gels decreases pilocarpine release rate in the medium. The release of pilocarpine from CH gel was found to be dependent on pH, a non-Fickian mechanism being observed for the release at pH 2 and 7.4 while at pH 9.8 a Fickian diffusion mechanism took place. On the other hand the release of pilocarpine in CH/CG matrix occurred by Fickian mechanism, independent of the pH value. Ix Periodate oxidized cashew gum derivatives (CGOX) with degree of oxidation between 2 to 62 % were synthesized. Oxidized samples were characterized by 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography and swelling behaviour. Gels with chitosan and oxidized CG were obtained by Schiff-base reaction mechanism. The gels were insoluble in acidic and basic medium. Release of SDC by CH/CGOX gel was investigated. At pH = 1.2 no drug is released in the medium and a controlled released is observed at pH = 7.4.