SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND STUDY OF CATIONIC SURFACTANTS AS DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

Four new pyridinium based cationic surfactants were synthesized with different hydrophobic alkyl chains and characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The aggregation behavior of these surfactants in solution was studied using conductometric and spectrophotometric techniques. A low CMC value in the range of 0.245-0.375 mML-1 indicated the significance of these amphiphiles as good surface active agents. Being cationic in nature, these surfactants showed good anti-microbial activity. Interaction of these surfactants with various anionic drugs was studied using UV-Visible spectroscopy. Binding constants, Gibb’s free energy and number of drug molecules incorporated per micelle were calculated. The synthesized surfactants not only increased the bio-availability of drugs but also reduced the chances of destruction of drug before reaching the target site. Controlled loading and release of drug by these surfactants allows them to be used as efficient tool for drug delivery