Development and Characterization of Synthetic Chalcones-Loaded Eudragit RS 100 Microparticles for Oral Delivery

Eudragit (R) RS100 microspheres of two chalcones were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. A simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated to determine the encapsulation efficiency, drug loading and release profiles of these chalcones in a microparticulate system. The mean EE values for the two chalcones-loaded microparticles were 98.8 +/- 1.3% and 99.5 +/- 0.9%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies showed that one chalcone-loaded microspheres are spherical and smooth appearance whereas the other chalcone-loaded microspheres showed irregular particles and a rough surface. The analysis of the second chalcone by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed a higher thermal stability compared to the first chalcone. Drug release profiles were determined at pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline (100 mmol L-1) with sodium lauryl sulfate (0.5%). The systems prepared with Eudragit (R) showed 78 and 95% of the two chalcones were released after 24 hours. The experimental results indicated that the prepared polymeric microspheres may be useful for potential applications.