Santoshkumar R G

An attempt has been made in the present research to formulate periodontal inserts of  Satranidazole (STZ) to increase residence time and prolong drug release. The periodontal inserts were prepared using chitosan, a natural biodegradable polymer. Chitosan inserts containing Satranidazole (10%, 20% and 30% to the weight of polymer) were prepared by solution casting method using 1% v/v acetic acid in water. Further inserts containing 30% Satranidazole were cross-linked by exposing to the vapours of 2% v/v glutaraldehyde in water for two different time period of 2 and 4 hours to retard the release of drug. FTIR and DSC studies revealed that there was no interaction between drug and polymers. The inserts were then evaluated for their physicochemical parameters like uniformity of thickness, weight, folding endurance, % moisture loss, tensile strength; drug content and in vitro drug release studies.  In vitro drug release data indicated that the films showed an initial burst release followed by sustained release of the drug. The drug-loaded films that were not cross linked had released the drug up to 10 days and the films which were cross linked for different duration showed a progressive fall in the release of the drug and extended up to 18 days.