Article Sidebar
Published:
Sep 16, 2014DOI:
10.4314/tjpr.v13i7.4Keywords:
Article Details
Submission of a manuscript to this journal is a representation that the manuscript has not been published previously and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
All authors named in each manuscript would be required to sign a form (to be supplied by the Editor) so that they may retain their copyright in the article but to assign to us (the Publishers) and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats and media (whether known or created in the future) to (i) publish, reproduce, distribute, display and store the contribution, (ii) translate the contribution into other languages, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections and create summaries, extracts and/or abstracts of the contribution, (iii) create any other derivative works(s) based on the contribution, (iv) to exploit all subsidiary rights in the contribution, (v) the inclusion of electronic links from the contribution to third party material where-ever it may be located, and (vi) license any thrid party to do any or all of the above.
Main Article Content
Development and In vitro Evaluation of Flurbiprofen Microcapsules Prepared by Modified Solvent Evaporation Technique
Abstract
Purpose: To develop modified release microcapsules of flurbiprofen for sustained release and reduced gastrointestinal side effects.
Method: A co-polymer containing Eudragit RS 100 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) in different drug/co-polymer ratios was used for microencapsulation of flurbiprofen by modified emulsion solvent evaporation (MESE) technique. The microcapsules were evaluated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dissolution study was conducted in 0.1 M HCl for 2 h and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for 8 h, and the resulting data were analyzed by various pharmacokinetic models.
Results: The data obtained from pre-formulation confirmed the purity of flurbiprofen. Particle size, flow rate and angle of repose showed good flow properties. FTIR and DSC confirmed the absence of incompatibilities among the drug and polymers. XRD of flurbiprofen showed characteristic sharp peaks confirming the crystalline nature of the drug which, however, decreased slightly in the formulation. SEM revealed that microencapsules of spherical shape and rough surface were produced at lower drug to copolymer ratio in contrast to the higher ratio which produced irregular microcapsules. Encapsulation efficiency was 65 - 85 % while regression coefficient (R2) values from kinetic analysis showed thatrelease followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model with “n” > 1 indicating release mechanism followed super case II transport.
Conclusion: MESE technique using Eudragit RS 100/HPMC polymer blend is a suitable approach to development of modified release flurbiprofen microcapsules.
Keywords: Microcapsules, Eudragit RS-100, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Emulsion solvent evaporation, Flurbiprofen, Sustained drug release
