Exploiting the interaction of polymethacrylates with iron oxide for the enhancement of mucoadhesive strength

The present investigation was aimed at preparation of polymethacrylate(s)- iron oxide conjugates and to evaluate mucoadhesive performance using texture analyzer. eudragit rl-iron oxide or eudragit rs-iron oxide conjugate granules were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. the mucoadhesive strength of pure eudragit rl and rs was found to be 11.25±2.02 and 7.78±0.92 g respectively, whereas the same was found to be 36.42±4.01 and 24.32±4.44 for the iron oxide conjugates of eudragit rl and rs respectively. hence, mucoadhesive strength of polymethacrylates was found to be enhanced by this technique while, retaining their ph resistant property. a correlation (p>0.05) of 0.97 between mucoadhesive strength and zeta potential indicated conjugation of iron oxide contributed positive surface charge that causes enhancement of mucoadhesion. further, the atr-ftir spectral analysis as well as dsc analysis supported existence of ionic interactions between conjugates (eudragit rs or rl with iron oxide) and the tissue surface. hence, the findings point out toward the expected potential use and application of eudragit rl-iron oxide conjugate in mucoadhesive drug delivery systems, gastro retentive drug delivery systems, etc.