Preparation, Characterization, and In Vivo Pharmacoscintigraphy Evaluation of an Intestinal Release Delivery System of Prussian Blue for Decorporation of Cesium and Thallium

BACKGROUND: Prussian blue (PB, ferric hexacyanoferrate) is approved by US-FDA for internal decorporation of Cesium-137 ((137)Cs) and Thallium-201 ((201)Tl). AIM: Since PB is a costly drug, pH-dependent oral delivery system of PB was developed using calcium alginate matrix system. METHODS: Alginate (Alg) beads containing PB were optimized by gelation of sodium alginate with calcium ions and effect of varying polymer concentration on encapsulation efficiency and release profile was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to study surface morphology. Adsorption efficacy of Alg-PB beads for (201)Tl was evaluated and compared with native PB. In vivo pH-dependent release of the formulation was studied in humans using gamma scintigraphy. RESULTS: Encapsulation efficiencies of Alg-PB beads with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% polymer solution were 99.9, 91, 92, and 93%, respectively. SEM and particle size analysis revealed differences between formulations in their appearance and size distribution. No drug release was seen in acidic media (pH of 1-2) while complete release was observed at pH of 6.8. Dissolution data was fitted to various mathematical models and beads were found to follow Hixson-Crowell mechanism of release. The pH-dependent release of beads was confirmed in vivo by pharmacoscintigraphy in humans.