Drug release potential of polyacrylamide grafted-Assam Bora rice polysaccharide graft copolymer (ABRS-g-PAM) as effective controlled release polymer

The research focuses on the characterization and evaluation of drug delivery efficiency of a microwave-assisted, free-radical synthesized polyacrylamide-grafted Assam Bora rice starch (ABRS) graft copolymer (ABRS-g-PAM). Percentage grafting efficiency (% GE) and intrinsic viscosity were chosen as the optimization parameters. The optimized ABRS-g-PAM Grade Formulation 4 (GF4) was found to be the best grade. GF4 was characterized through XRD, FTIR, TGA, DSC, and ¹³C NMR, confirming efficient polyacrylamide grafting onto ABRS, besides swelling studies. SEM and FESEM showed a rough GF4 surface. Further analysis using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) detailed the irregular, rough internal architecture. The maximum swelling of GF4 occurred at pH 7 and 0.005 (M) NaCl, demonstrating second-order swelling kinetics. The soil biodegradability study of GF4 confirmed its biocompatibility. In vitro drug release studies showed that GF4 achieved 99 % release of Rosuvastatin over 26 h, thereby supporting the controlled release behaviour of the optimized polymer.