Development of chitosan/polyethylene vinyl acetate co-matrix: controlled release of aspirin-heparin for preventing cardiovascular thrombosis

Aspirin and heparin were embedded in chitosan/polyethylene vinyl acetate co-matrix to develop a prolonged release form. The in vitro release profiles of these drugs from the co-matrix system were monitored in Tris HCI buffer pH7.4, using a UV spectrophotometer. The amount of drug release was initially much higher, followed by a constant slow release profile for a prolonged period. The initial burst release was substantially modified with styrenebutadiene coatings. From scanning electron microscopy studies it appears that the drugs diffuse out slowly to the dissolution medium through the micropores of the co-matrix. The released aspirin-heparin from the co-matrix system had shown their antiplatelet and anticoagulant functions. The results propose the possibility of delivering drug combinations, having synergestic effects for therapeutic applications.