PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CARRAGEENAN/ LOVASTATIN BIOMATERIALS

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1059.2025-0024

Abstract

Carrageenan is a natural, gel-forming polysaccharide widely used in pharmaceutical applications due to its biocompatibility and mucoadhesive properties. This study aimed to develop carrageenan/lovastatin (CAR/Lov) composite biomaterials, evaluate their potential to enhance the solubility of lovastatin (Lov), and investigate their controlled drug release behavior. The prepared CAR/Lov samples were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to examine the interaction between carrageenan and lovastatin and to assess the dispersion of the drug within the polymer matrix. The results indicated that the incorporation of lovastatin into the carrageenan matrix did not alter the chemical structure of the drug; however, it significantly improved its solubility and modulated its release profile. Among the tested samples, the CL15 formulation, with a Lov/CAR ratio of 1:15, demonstrated the most efficient drug release under simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.4), achieving a release rate of 86.57%. In contrast, the release at pH 2.0 (simulating gastric conditions) was lower (33.57%). These findings highlight the potential of the CAR/Lov system for pHresponsive drug delivery, offering promising applications in the development of lipid-lowering drug formulations.