Development of microsphere of polymer containing clotrimazole by spray drying process / Azura Kasim

The proposed paper describes the formation of clotrimazole loaded in a composite Hyaluronic acid (HA) microsphere by spray drying process. Clotrimazole, the lipophilic drug, was widely used as a broad spectrum antifungal agent all over the world. Its lipophilic properties limits its solubility in aqueous phase, therefore, preparing microsphere with hydrophilic polymer will helps its solubility in this medium. In this study, clotrimazole incorporated with sodium hyaluronate microsphere was determined using UV-visible spectrophotometer at its maximal absorption of 2 l 5nm wavelength. Briefly, prior to UV detection, the microspheres were initially diluted in the miscible solvent, methanol:water (2: 1, v/v). The calibration graph was linear over the concentration range of l -9µg/ml. The correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was ?:0.99. The morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were also investigated. Study under analytical scanning electron microscopy revealed a smooth surface microsphere presenting a hole. The average size of drug loaded microsphere were 22.60-47.70µmeter and 41.00-57.90µmeter in diameter for microsphere produced from l lml/min and 3ml/min respectively, the encapsulation efficiency was 84.71% and drug loading was 33.98% for microsphere produced from 11 ml/min and 66.57% encapsulation efficiency and 74.29% for those produced from 3ml/min feed rate. Hence, clotrimazole­ loaded hyaluronic acid microsphere could be considered as a basic unit to develop new device for the treatment of fungal infection.