Modulating the controlled release of hydroxychloroquine mobilized on pectin films through film-forming pH and incorporation of nanocellulose

Materials from renewable resources like pectin and nanocelluloses are useful for the controlled release of drugs such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), whose potential for treating tumor cells was recently verified. In this study, pectin films with HCQ were produced by casting at different pH values (4, 7, and 10). Additionally, pectin/HCQ membranes formed at pH 4 were incorporated with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and nanofibrils (CNF). Films are mainly amorphous with good compatibility between HCQ and pectin matrix. Release tests showed that films containing CNC and formed at pH 4 released the drug more slowly in phosphate buffer medium compared to other membranes. Additionally, film formed at pH 4 presented slower HCQ release at acid medium. The pectin platform proved to be an easy way to deliver HCQ with different kinetic rates by changing the pH and incorporating nanocellulose particles into the pectin film-forming solutions.