A novel polymeric biomaterial based on carboxymethylstarch and its application in controlled drug release

This study reports investigation of the sustained release behavior of a model drug (acetylsalicylic acid) from carboxymethylstarch (CMS) based matrix. CMS was prepared by incorporation of carboxymethyl groups in the starch moiety; by reacting starch with sodium salt of monochloro acetic acid in presence of sodium hydroxide. The in vitro drug release study was performed by United States Pharmacopeia rotating paddle method, at various pH. The rate of drug release from the above matrix was found to increase with increase in pH. Further, the release behavior of the drug from the CMS based matrix was found to be non‐Fickian, n value being between 0.80 and 0.85, suggesting that the release was controlled by a combination of tablet erosion and diffusion of the drug from the swollen matrix. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009