Effect of Solid Content, Dispersant and Binder Additions on the Drug Loading Properties of Attapulgite in Spray-Dried Microspheres

To improve the controlled release ability, we prepared attapulgite into microspheres by spray drying. This research began with a thorough thermogravimetric analysis to optimize attapulgite’s heat treatment for drug loading. By advanced spray drying, attapulgite was transformed into microspheres, refining its drug release characteristics. Various parameters were examined, achieving optimal particle size and morphology at 25% solid content, 2.5% dispersant, and 3% binder. Attapulgite microspheres demonstrated exceptional encapsulation efficiency, exceeding 95% for doxorubicin hydrochloride, highlighting their versatility in drug delivery. FTIR and XRD were used to predict changes in material properties after spray drying. Notably, cytotoxicity tests confirmed the high biocompatibility of attapulgite microspheres, devoid of cell death induction. Attapulgite microsphere loaded with doxorubicin enable sustained drug release and maintain killing ability against tumor cells. This study confirms the viability of spray dried attapulgite microspheres for efficient drug loading and delivery and provides insights for innovative drug delivery systems that utilize the unique properties of attapulgite to advance therapeutics.