APPLICATION OF CHITOSAN MICROSPHERES AS DRUG.pdfVIP

Journal of Pharmaceutical Rahul Nair et al /J. Pharm. Sci. Res. Vol.1(2), 2009,1-12. Sciences and Research www.jpsr.pharmainfo.in APPLICATION OF CHITOSAN MICROSPHERES AS DRUG CARRIERS : A REVIEW. Rahul Nair*1, B.Haritha Reddy1 C.K.Ashok Kumar1, K.Jayraj Kumar2. 1.Sree Vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy, A.Rangampet, Chittoor District Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh. 2. D.R.Karigowda College of Pharmacy Hassan. Karnataka. ______________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Chitosan (CS) is a naturally occurring polymer which finds a wide array of pharmaceutical applications due to its low production costs, biodegradability, biocompatibility, nontoxic nature and mucoadhesion. As a result of its cationic character, CS is able to react with polyanions giving rise to polyelectrolyte complexes. CS has found pronounced application in multiparticulate drug delivery and it enhances the dissolution of drugs having poor solubility. CS microspheres can be prepared by chemical denaturation process, ion induced coagulation and spray drying methods. This review aims to compile the various application of CS in microspheres based drug delivery. This review also aims to include the process variables factors that affect the release of drugs from the microspheres. Key words: Chitosan, Microspheres, Process variables. ________________________________________________________________________ 1. Introduction and N-acetyl glucosamine [5]. The increasing use of for CS is due to the Chitosan (CS) [a (1→4) 2-amino-2- fact that the polysaccharide is not only deoxy-β-