Drug Release Study of Systems Containing the Tragacanth and Collagen Composite: Release Characterization and Viscoelastic Measurements

The kinetics of water penetration and pentoxifilline release from both Tragacanth gum and Tragacanth/Collagen matrices has been examined in pure deionised water. The rheological oscillatory measurements of their gel layer obtained by swelling of the imprinted pentoxifilline‐filled polymer matrix with water have been performed. To qualify a polymer for application in drug formulation, appropriate gel stiffness is required. The aqueous solution of Tragacanth does not seem to acquire the actual strength that a hydrogel must retain for this purpose. Thus, along with Tragacanth, gelatin, CaCl2 and 1, 8 octandiamine curing agent were individually blended in a mixture with Tragacanth gum to improve the gel behavior and drug delivery of the system. The strength of the gel at the body temperature (37 °C) was studied using a cone and plate rheometer. It was found that gelatin could enhance the gel strength of Tragacanth by forming a porous composite. The drug release to an aqueous solution at room temperature was analyzed to be slower for a composite of 1:2 Tragacanth/Collagen.