Publication

Abstract : Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that shows the progressive loss of nerve cells. Levodopa (LD) represents a precursor to the deficient neurotransmitter dopamine. The classic formulations of LD taken orally are related to low bioavailability and non-targeted delivery. Controlled drug delivery systems consequently ensure regulated and prolonged release and thus enhanced in-vivo therapeutic efficacy and reduced toxicity based on polymer conjugates. Stimuli-responsive mechanisms, such as pH or magnetic fields trigger targeted drug release at specific sites. Alginate and Lignosulfonates in the presence of Fe3 O4 nanoparticles form the ideal magnetic hydrogel for drug delivery. In the present investigation, formulation, characterization by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, LD loading efficiency, and in-vitro release kinetics evaluation studies of such hydrogels have been carried out. The results are significant and greatly show a controlled release under magnetic influence that would thus find applications in the biomedical treatment of Parkinson’s disease.