Fabrication of Hybrid Alginate Hydrogel Beads Reinforced with Activated Carbon and Evaluation of Their Potential for Controlled Eugenol Release

Karaoğlu K., Atak M., Baran N. Y., Baran T.

PHARMACEUTICS, cilt.18, sa.5, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/pharmaceutics18050598
  • Dergi Adı: PHARMACEUTICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background/Objectives: This study presents the development of an activated carbon/sodium alginate-based gastric-retentive delivery system aimed at enhancing the gastroprotective efficacy of eugenol (Eug) in simulated body fluids. Methods: Hybrid hydrogel beads were fabricated using tea waste-derived activated carbon (AC) as a core material and sodium alginate as a wall material. Results: The system achieved a loading capacity of 3.37 +/- 0.11 mg Eug/g hydrogel beads, and in vitro assays revealed a controlled release profile, with cumulative release reaching 0.694 +/- 0.006 mg/g hydrogel beads in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and 0.198 +/- 0.002 mg Eug/g hydrogel beads in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). Conclusions: Kinetic modeling confirmed a predominantly diffusion-controlled process with non-Fickian transport mechanism, indicating combined diffusion and matrix relaxation. By maintaining local therapeutic concentrations in the gastric mucosa, this pH-responsive Alg/Eug@AC system offers a sustainable strategy to overcome Eug's low bioavailability and provide effective gastroprotection against oxidative damage.