A synergistic nanocomposite of tragacanth gum, starch, and graphitic carbon nitride: a cutting-edge platform for lornoxicam delivery

Abstract

Biomaterials are getting more recognition in drug delivery due to their unique intrinsic properties. Herein, graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) is fabricated from urea precursors. g-CN is further incorporated with starch (Sta) and tragacanth gum (TG) (i.e., Sta/g-CN/TG) to form a hydrogel for use as a drug nanocarrier. Various analytical techniques, such as FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy, XRD (X-ray diffraction), ZP (zeta potential) analysis, BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) analysis, DLS (dynamic light scattering), and SEM (scanning electron microscopy), were applied for the structural elucidation of the Sta/g-CN/TG hydrogel. ZP analysis reveals a +8.60 ± 0.01 mV charged surface, XRD shows amorphous structure, and SEM displays a mean particle diameter of 90 ± 0.01 nm. BET analysis reveals a Type II isotherm and a surface area of 0.540 ± 0.001 m² g⁻¹, and BJH analysis confirms a mean pore size of 19.08 nm and a mean pore volume of 0.0088 cm³ g⁻¹. DLS demonstrates a mean nanoparticle size of 180 ± 0.1 nm, and FTIR reveals OH and CO group stretching. To investigate hydrogel loading and release efficiencies (%LE and %RE), the lornoxicam (LXM) drug was loaded into the Sta/g-CN/TG hydrogel (i.e., LXM@Sta/g-CN/TG/LXM). The time interval, drug concentration, pH, and temperature impact LXM loading, while pH and temperature factors influence LXM release. The results showed that the Sta/g-CN/TG hydrogel made with a 1 : 0.5 : 0.2 mass ratio of Sta, g-CN, and TG had outstanding loading, release, and swelling qualities via hydrogen bonding. The results demonstrate a 66.94% greater %RE at acidic pH = 7.4 and 67.98% highest %RE at 50 °C respectively. However, the Peppas–Sahlin model emerged as the best-fitted model with linear regression (R²). The collected outcomes also confirmed Fickian diffusion in the LXM release. Finally, Sta/g-CN/TG is a promising pH-sensitive nanovehicle with increased LXM loading and sustained release properties.