NATURAL RUBBER LATEX–BIOACTIVE GLASS COMPOSITE AS A DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR AMPICILLIN

This study evaluates Natural Rubber Latex (NRL)–Bioactive Glass (BG) Composites as carrier for ampicillin. Current drug delivery systems face challenges of uncontrolled release, poor biocompatibility, and unstable therapeutic levels. Incorporating bioactive glass into natural rubber latex was explored to improve compatibility, sustained release, and strength. Biomembranes (NRL with drug and NRL - BG with drug respectively) were polymerized at room temperature for 72 hours. The biomembranes were then characterized using Fourier Transmission – Infra red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X8-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The drug release mechanism through the skin, tensile strength and elongation at break were also evaluated. Results showed that 86.26% of the protein in the NRL was removed after centrifugation and the FTIR spectra analysis reveals no chemical interaction between the NRL, drug and bioglass as their individual characteristics exhibits solid fusion. Drug release reached about 70% with burst release near 52–54 hours. The mechanical analysis showed that the incorporation of the bioglass improved the tensile strength of the biomembrane significantly. The results confirm that natural rubber latex can act as a transdermal carrier for ampicillin, with bioactive glass further improving the delivery efficiency.