The main objective of the study to develop controlled drug delivery system to increase the efficacy of anti retroviral drug, lamivudine against HIV infections. Encapsulation of lamivudine in chitosan microspheres was carried out by cross- linking process with 20% glutaraldehyde. The prepared lamivudine loaded chitosan cross-linked microspheres were evaluated for drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, particle size distribution, surface morphology (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and in-vitro release studies. The chitosan microspheres shows very smooth surface and its exhibits regular spherical geometry due to higher crosslinking density. FTIR spectrum for cross-linked chitosan microspheres, an additional peak at 1686 cm-1 were observed, which is due to stretching vibrations of C N bond. This peak indicates formation of chain due to reaction between carbonyl group of glutaraldehyde and amine group of chitosan polymer and the percentage of encapsulation efficiency was found to be 54.83-63.70 %w/w. The particle size was ranged from 5-40 μm in size and 68% of the particles lying between 27-37 μm sizes and in-vitro release profile showed that cross-linking density of chitosan microspheres were effectively controlled the release of lamivudine. Marked retardation of lamivudine release may provide a useful controlled release of anti retroviral drug therapy.
