Executive Summary : | Drug delivery agents (DDAs) play a crucial role in preventing the breakdown of therapeutic molecules in the stomach, which can lead to gastric distress and discomfort. To achieve this, DDAs must remain intact while passing through the upper gastrointestinal tract and release integrated medications as soon as they reach the distal part of the gastrointestinal tract. Strategies include covalent linkage of drug and carrier, coating with pH-sensitive polymers, formulation of time-release systems, and exploitation of carriers degraded by colonic bacteria. One potential approach is using natural polymers to synthesize smart pH responsive hydrogels, which can improve the therapeutic efficiency of orally administered drugs by allowing a decreased dose to achieve desired effects and prevent the drug molecule from the gastric environment. However, natural polymers have disadvantages such as poor mechanical strength, less viscoelasticlty, and instability in physiological conditions. To enhance mechanical strength and increase cross-linking possibilities, suitable pendent groups like carboxyl, amide, sulfurate, or hydroxyl groups should be introduced. Although there has been significant development in developing gastric resistant hydrogels, these gels lack the capacity to dissolve in physiological environments, ensuring maximal safety and removal. The aim is to modify and introduce desired pendent groups on natural polymers like alginate, chitosan, guar gum, and carrageen, and use biocompatible cross-linkers to develop smart pH responsive hydrogels that can respond to different levels of pH at varying transit times. Characterization of synthesized hydrogels will be done using FTIR, TGA-DTA, SEM, Rheometry, and physiological studies. |