A novel pectin-based silver nanocomposite film has been synthesized with the aid of microwave, using green technology and its capacity to adsorb and deliver anti-Alzheimer's drug Donepezil (DPZ) has been investigated. The nanocomposite exhibited excellent adsorption and release efficiency. The pristine and the drug loaded films were characterized using FTIR, TGA, XRD and FESEM-EDS techniques. The DPZ release capacity of the nanocomposite in phosphate buffer saline solution was found to be 94.33 ± 2.12% during 5 days period. Along with the drug, about 92 kcps silver nanoparticles were observed to be released from the film leading to enhanced activity of the system. The drug release followed zero order kinetics and non-Fickian type of diffusion. Toxicity studies of the nanocomposite film conducted with sheep erythrocytes showed <9% hemolysis indicating the non-toxic and blood compatible nature. Further, the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite film against S. aureus and E. coli was quite significant compared to the standard antibiotics. These results reveal the nanocomposite film to be appropriate for the transdermal application avoiding the contamination due to the continuous contact of sweat and moisture from the skin.
Keywords: Ag nanoparticles; Antibacterial activity; Donepezil; Drug release; Microwave; Pectin.
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