Alginate and chitosan wrapped clay nanohybrid as nano-vehicles for targeted and sustained release of promethazine

Cationic clays, a class of nanomaterials , have garnered significant interest as potential drug delivery vehicles . In this study, the drug promethazine (PMT) was intercalated into the cationic clay Cloisite® 20A (C-20A) and encapsulated in chitosan hydrogel (CH) and sodium alginate hydrogel (Alg). Different nanohybrids were developed as carriers to enable the sustained release of PMT. Hydrogels have demonstrated potential for achieving localized and controlled release of PMT in various therapeutic applications. A range of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), were employed to confirm the successful intercalation of PMT within the C-20A layer and its encapsulation within the hydrogels. The release behavior of PMT from PMT/C-20A, PMT/CH, and PMT/Alg was investigated over a pH range of 1.2–7.4. PMT release from C-20A was significantly faster and more efficient compared to CH. These results were consistent with the Freundlich diffusion model, suggesting that both C-20A and CH hydrogels facilitate the attachment and gradual release of PMT molecules. To achieve a more controlled and slower release of intercalated PMT and reduce the frequency of administration, PMT/C-20A was further encapsulated in CH hydrogel (PMT/C-20A/CH) and sodium alginate hydrogel (PMT/C-20A/Alg). This encapsulation approach resulted in a more sustainable release profile for PMT, ultimately decreasing the need for frequent administration. • Successful preparation of PMT/C-20A, PMT/CH, and PMT/Alg nanohybrids. • Efficient PMT drug release achieved by the designed nanohybrids. • Kinetic modeling for drug release from the nanohybrids.