Arabinogalactan-ethyl cellulose films from Pereskia aculeata Miller for pharmaceutical applications

This research aimed to produce and evaluate films containing arabinogalactan, extracted from Pereskia aculeata Miller leaves, combined with ethyl cellulose for potential pharmaceutical applications. Films were prepared using solvent casting with varying concentrations of arabinogalactan (0%, 5%, 10%, 20%) and ethyl cellulose. Crosslinking of arabinogalactan was performed using sodium trimetaphosphate. Films were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, TGA, DSC, SEM, water vapor transmission (WVT), and swelling index (Si%) tests. FT-IR and XRD confirmed successful crosslinking and incorporation of arabinogalactan. Thermal analyses revealed improved stability in arabinogalactan-containing formulations. XRD showed amorphous character in natural arabinogalactan films, while crosslinked samples exhibited small peaks indicating potential crystalline organization. WVT analysis demonstrated increased permeability with higher arabinogalactan concentrations. Si% tests revealed higher swelling in simulated intestinal fluid compared to gastric fluid, with crosslinked formulations showing reduced swelling. SEM confirmed a more expanded polymeric mesh in formulations with higher arabinogalactan content, especially at alkaline pH. These results demonstrate that the ethylcellulose-arabinogalactan composite shows promise for controlled release applications, with properties that can be tailored through arabinogalactan concentration and crosslinking. This study provides a foundation for future research into sustainable materials for modified drug delivery technologies.