Synthesis and characterization of interpenetrating networks with tamarind kernel polysaccharide and polyacrylate for drug transport.

This article focuses on the synthesis and characterization of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on carboxymethylated tamarind kernel polysaccharide (CMTKP) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) for controlled drug delivery applications. CMTKP was prepared by carboxymethylation of tamarind kernel polysaccharide (TKP) and used to form IPNs with PHEA at varying blend ratios, which exhibited pH-dependent swelling behavior, higher crosslink density, and enhanced hydrophilicity compared to IPNs with unmodified TKP. Drug loading and release studies using curcumin demonstrated that CMTKP-based IPNs released the drug faster and followed a non-Fickian "Super Case II transport" mechanism, while PHEA alone showed Fickian diffusion. The findings suggest that these biocompatible IPNs have potential as oral drug carriers for poorly water-soluble drugs, with swelling and release properties modulated by polymer composition and pH.