Didanosine-loaded chitosan microspheres optimized by surface-response methodology: A modified ``Maximum Likelihood Classification'' approach formulation for reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Didanosine-loaded chitosan microspheres were developed applying a surface-response methodology and using a modified Maximum Likelihood Classification. The operational conditions were optimized with the aim of maintaining the active form of didanosine (ddI), which is sensitive to acid pH, and to develop a modified and mucoadhesive formulation. The loading of the drug within the chitosan microspheres was carried out by ionotropic gelation technique with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as cross-linking agent and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)(2)) to assure the stability of ddI. The optimization conditions were set using a surface-response methodology and applying the ``Maximum Likelihood Classification'', where the initial chitosan concentration, TPP and ddI concentration were set as the independent variables. The maximum ddI-loaded in microspheres (i.e. 1433 mg of ddI/g chitosan), was obtained with 2% (w/v) chitosan and 10% TPP. The microspheres depicted an average diameter of 11.42 mu m and ddI was gradually released during 2 h in simulated enteric fluid. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. (AU)