Development and In Vitro Characterization of Azadirachta Indica Gum Grafted Polyacrylamide Based pH‐Sensitive Hydrogels to Improve the Bioavailability of Lansoprazole

Abstract The present study intended to develop a pH‐responsive hydrogel based on Neem gum (Ng) to improve Lansoprazole (LSP) oral bioavailability. Azadirachta Indica seed extract was used to obtain Ng. pH‐responsive hydrogel formulations (F1–F9) were prepared using different Ng ratios, Acrylamide (AAm), and methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (MBA). The formulated hydrogels were characterized through FTIR, thermal analysis, swelling ratio, SEM, sol‐gel ratios, In‐Vitro drug release, and cytotoxicity analysis. Azadirachta Indica was extracted to produce a powder containing 21.5 % Ng. Prepared hydrogels showed maximum swelling at pH 7.4, whereas the swelling at an acidic pH was insignificant. LSP‐loaded hydrogel demonstrated a regulated release of LSP for up to 24 h and indicated a Super Case II transport release mechanism. During the cytotoxic evaluation, the delivery system showed minimal cytotoxicity towards normal cells, while percent cytotoxicity was carried out for a longer duration (up to 96 h). The present study revealed Azadirachta indica gum‐based pH‐responsive hydrogel as a promising technique for precisely delivering LSP.