Ogochukwu Augustina Meko1 
,
Sylvester Okhuelegbe Eraga2,
Matthew Ikhuoria Arhewoh2
For correspondence:- Ogochukwu Meko Email: oa.meko@coou.edu.ng Tel:+234 7038611554
Received: 8 March 2025 Accepted: 16 June 2025 Published: 03 July 2025
Citation: Meko OA, Eraga SO, Arhewoh MI. Keratin/alginate microspheres as a novel pH-dependent polymer for colon-targeted delivery of dexamethasone for the management of inflammatory bowel disease. Trop J Pharm Res 2025; 24(6):761-769 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v24i6.2
© 2025 The authors.
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Purpose: To develop keratin/alginate microspheres loaded with dexamethasone for managing
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), enabling targeted delivery to the colon and minimizing systemic side
effects to improve therapeutic efficacy.
Methods: Microspheres were prepared using ionotropic gelation method. Air-dried microspheres were
evaluated for entrapment efficiency, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC), sieve analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in vitro dissolution,
and stability studies.
Results: Microsphere entrapment was between 86 to 98 %. The SEM revealed discrete particles with
rough surfaces while FTIR and DSC results did not show any interaction among components in the
microspheres. Cumulative drug release was < 30 % after 2 h at acid pH and 72 – 94 % after 12 h in all
formulations.
Conclusion: Keratin/alginate microsphere demonstrates its potential as a suitable pH-sensitive
composite indicating a promising platform for colon-targeted dexamethasone delivery.
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