Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology

Chitosan alginate (CS-ALG) microsperes with albendazole (ABZ) alone and along with piperine (PIP) were synthesized and characterized. Four groups of broiler chicken with eight birds in each were administered group viz pure albendazole @ 10 mg/kg orally (Group 1), intravenously (Gorup 2), CS-ALG-ABZ microspheres equivalent to give 10 mg/ kg of ABZ (Group 3) and CS-ALG-ABZ-PIP microspheres equivalent to gie 10 mg/kg of ABZ (Group 4). Plasma separated from blood samples collected at different predetermined time intervals and analysed for albendazole, albendazole sulfoxide (ABZ-SO) by HPLC method. Microspheres are spherical and mean diameter is significantly higher for ABZ & PIP encapsulated microspheres. Loading efficacy of ABZ in CS-ALG-ABZ microspheres is significantly higher than CS-ALG-ABZ-PIP microspheres. Release of ABZ in basic pH from CS-ALG-ABZ-PIP microspheres significantly more than CS-ALG-ABZ microspheres and predominantly followed anomalous diffusion. ABZ could not be detected in group 1 & 3 at any time point, while in group 2 & 4 detected up to 9 hours and there was no significant difference in pharmacokinetics parameters of ABZ in group 2 & 4 except C_max and AUC_0-t were significantly higher in group 2. Concentration of ABZ-SO detected in all groups upto 36 hours and group 3 showed significantly higher C_max, AUC_0-t and t_max compared to group 1 which indicates the rate and extent of absorption of ABZ has increased significantly compared to pure ABZ administration. Whereas group 4 birds showed significantly higher C_max, AUC_0-t & T_max compared to group 3 and found that rate and extent of absorption of ABZ further enhanced significantly compared to administration of ABZ alone in CS-ALG microspheres. ABZ in CS-ALG encapsulated microspheres have enhanced bioavailability and along with piperine further enhanced.