In this study

after determination of the optimal values of the effective parameters in the synthesis using experimental design software

tablet-shaped potato starch aerogels were synthesized at the optimal condition in order to be used as a drug carrier. The celecoxib

as the model drug

was loaded into the aerogel matrix during the solvent exchange step. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)

FESEM and HRTEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) analyses showed that celecoxib has been successfully loaded into aerogel matrix. Also

XRD analysis showed that most of the celecoxib has been loaded in amorphous form.

In vitro

studies were performed in both simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The release kinetics showed that the loaded celecoxib dissolved faster than crystalline celecoxib. At rotational speed of 100 r·min

-1

about 26% and 50% and at rotational speed of 50 r·min

-1

about 20% and 42% drug was released during the first 30 min of soaking in the simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid

respectively. The release of the mentioned drug was increased up to 60% and 98% at a rotational speed of 100 r·min

-1

and up to 46% and 93% at a rotational speed of 50 r·min

-1

at the end of 5 h in the simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid

respectively. It could be concluded that potato starch aerogels can be very useful in many drug delivery applications along with conventional micronization techniques. Modeling of release data showed that the release kinetics follows the Korsmeyer Peppas model

which considers phenomena of matrix erosion and drug diffusion.