Four Modified Sodium Alginate/carboxymethylcellulose Blends for Prednisone Delivery

Polysaccharides have been widely used for the development of drug delivery systems. These systems can be physicochemically modified to enhance their stabilities and control their drug release profiles. However, such modifications cannot alter their biocompatibility or toxicity. Herein, four structurally modified sodium alginate/carboxymethylcellulose blends are synthesized and loaded with prednisone, and the effects of the modifications on their hydrolytic degradation rates, biocompatibilities, toxicities, and drug release profiles are investigated. All the blends are ionically cross-linked with Ca2+ and Fe3+. Blend 1 is not modified further, blend 2 is additionally reinforced with 8% w/w of cellulose nanocrystals, blend 3 is treated with epoxidized linseed oil to develop a hydrophobic layer, and blend 4 is chemically cross-linked with epichlorohydrin. Blends 2 and 4 exhibit similar physicochemical characteristics, appropriate hydrolytic degradation rates and drug release patterns, as well as biocompatibility and non-toxicity. In-vitro studies using the osteoblasts and CAM assay demonstrate that blends 2 and 4 are also biocompatible and non-toxic. In contrast, blend 1 exhibits the highest drug release rate, followed by blend 3.