Fabrication and Release Properties of Naproxen-loaded Dioscorea dumetorum (Bitter yam) Starch Biodegradable Nanoparticles

Adewale Adepoju; Vivian Okumah; Omobolanle OMOTESO; Kolawole Jaiyeoba; Michael  Odeniyi

doi:10.63224/tnm.2025.1.001

Authors

Mr Adewale O. Adepoju Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2963-0383
Ms. Vivian Okumah Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1971-6764
Dr. Omobolanle A. Omoteso Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3059-7381
Prof. Kolawole T. Jaiyeoba Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria
Prof. Michael A. Odeniyi Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9918-4377

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63224/tnm.2025.1.001

Keywords:

Starch nanoparticles, Carboxymethylated starch nanoparticles, Dioscorea dumetorum, Naproxen, Drug release studies

Abstract

The growing demand for polymers to improve drug delivery profiles (particularly for poorly aqueous soluble drugs) has prompted a global search for new polymers. The drug loading, dissolution, and release characteristics of trifoliate yam (Dioscorea dumetorum) starch, a biodegradable polymer, were evaluated using naproxen as the model drug. Trifoliate starch nanoparticles (TSNP) were created by acid hydrolysis of trifoliate native starch (TNS) with H₂SO₄. In contrast, carboxymethylated trifoliate starch nanoparticles (CTSNP) were created by reacting the TSNP with sodium hydroxide and monochloroacetic acid. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that TSNP were formed by acid hydrolysis. Modification of the TSNP resulted in a significant particle size reduction (86.5 ± 5.60 nm) and changes in the morphology of these starch forms compared to the native trifoliate starch (1616.0 ± 0.54 nm). The addition of a carboxylate functional group to the TSNP molecule as a means of modification was confirmed by significant peaks in the Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy’s 1600-1300 cm^-1 absorption band region. All of the starch forms, TNS, TNSP and CTNSP demonstrated significant drug loading capacity and efficiency (86.7%, 86.4%, and 84.9%), respectively. The TNS demonstrated delayed naproxen release, whereas the TSNP and CTSNP demonstrated a biphasic release profile (immediate and sustained release). Naproxen release kinetics from most formulations followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model of non-Fickian diffusion through the polymeric matrix. A loading time of one hour was found to optimize loading efficiency. The starch nanocarriers developed in this study can be used as vehicles to enhance, control, and prolong the release of poorly soluble drugs.

Author Biographies

Mr Adewale O. Adepoju, Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

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Ms. Vivian Okumah, Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

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Dr. Omobolanle A. Omoteso, Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

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Prof. Kolawole T. Jaiyeoba, Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

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Prof. Michael A. Odeniyi, Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

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