Design of sterculia gum based double potential antidiarrheal drug delivery system.

In view of the antidiarrheal properties of sterculia gum and ornidazole, an attempt has been made to synthesize novel hydrogels by functionalization of sterculia gum with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) for release of the model antidiarrheal drug ornidazole. These hydrogels were characterized with FTIR, SEM, TGA and swelling behavior. Swelling kinetics of the hydrogels and in vitro release dynamics of ornidazole from the drug loaded hydrogels have been studied to determine the mechanism of swelling and drug release from the drug loaded hydrogels. A Fickian diffusion mechanism has been observed for the release of drug from the hydrogels. These hydrogels may have dual actions for the treatment of diarrhea.