Chemically treated hard gelatin capsules for colon‐targeted drug delivery: A novel approach

Abstract

Abstract Hard gelatin capsules, containing riboflavin‐loaded poly ( N ‐viny1–2‐pyrrolidone)‐polyacrylamide cylindrical hydrogels, were modified chemically by treating with an aqueous formaldehyde solution for the purpose of delayed release of drug along the gastrointestinal tract. The t dis (disintegration time) of capsules was studied as a function of concentration of formaldehyde solution and the treatment time. The dynamic release of vitamin B 2 was studied as a function of crosslinking ratio of the hydrogels. The device studied seems to have potential to be used for colon‐targeted drug delivery. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2277–2282, 2003