SPHERICAL CRYSTALS OF METRONIDAZOLE: TO IMPROVE SOLUBILITY, DISSOLUTION RATE AND MICROMERITIC PROPERTIES

Ethiraj T.*, Ganesan V., Revathi R., Arun V., Irsath M., Karthi A. and Loganathan T.

ABSTRACT

Spherical crystals of Metronidazole were prepared by Quasi Emulsion Solvent Diffusion method using a three solvent system comprising ethyl acetate as a good solvent, cyclohexane as a poor solvent and water as a bridging liquid. Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) was used as hydrophilic polymer. The obtained spherical agglomerates were characterised by various parameters such as melting point, optical microscopy, particle size, angle of repose, crystal density, porosity, scanning electron microscopy, infra red spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction studies, solubility studies, in-vitro release studies. The prepared agglomerates showed marked increase in solubility and its dissolution behaviour than the pure one, and found improved micromeritics properties. It was revealed that the above spherical agglomerates exhibited considerable improvement in flowability, packability, wettability and compressibility.

Keywords: Metronidazole, Spherical agglomerates, Quasi emulsion solvent diffusion, Dissolution, Flowability, Packability.