Release Profile of Lansoprazole Encapsulated in Sodium Alginate Beads

Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects 11% of the population worldwide. Lansoprazole was the second commercially available proton pump inhibitor, recommended for healing and symptomatic relief of reflux esophagitis. This work presents the encapsulation of lansoprazole in sodium alginate beads, generating a controlled release system of the encapsulated drug. The quantification of lansoprazole contents from the encapsulated raw material was carried out, using the methodology prescribed in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia 5th edition, with adjustments, the encapsulation efficiency and the release profile. Experimental tests were performed using scanning UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Encapsulation efficiency was 100%, obtained from the measurement of the absorbance of the filtrate. Release profile shows the concentration of lansoprazole in the external environment was 4 µg/mL (16%) immediately after 10 min. Concentration of lansoprazole released by the beads follows a linear dynamic as a function of time, with a maximum release equivalent to 25 µg/mL after 210 min (100%). The rate of release is influenced by pH, being higher by 7.4. Beads subjected to heat treatment have a higher release rate at a temperature of 30 °C when compared to a temperature of 60 °C. Increase in temperature decreases the diameter of the beads. The presence of lansoprazole affects the release curve. The absorption rate of the microbeads with lansoprazole is 0.83, and the absorption rate of the microbeads without lansoprazole is 0.58. Sodium alginate beads have a good controlled release effect on lansoprazole.