EPITOMIZATION OF MINI-TABLETS BY USING NATURAL POLYMERS FOR COLON SPECIFIC CHRONOTHERAPEUTIC DRUG DELIVERY

Sandeep Pasunooti*, Rahul Shukla and Venkanna Pasham

ABSTRACT

During the past decades research is going on developing the methods to target specific regions by multiparticulate drug delivery systems (i.e. Mini-tablets, beads, liposomes). In the present study a novel colon specific chronotherapeutic multiparticulate system (CSCMS) of mini-tablets for the treatment of airway resistance diseases (Bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema) was developed. Colon specific chronotherapeutic multiparticulate system of mini-tablet prepared by direct compression method and coating material is prepared by wet granulation method to protect the core mini-tablets from upper GI track with different proportions (F1 to F13) of formulations by using natural polymers (Guar gum, xanthan gum, chitosan). Finally the optimized (F12) compression coated mini-tablets shows best drug release around at the targeted region. Combination of microbial degraded natural polymers and time dependent HPMC K15M provided better protection, showing increased drug release at lag time. Dissolution studies in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer containing 4% w/v rat caecal contents have demonstrated the susceptibility of the natural polymers to the colonic bacterial enzymatic action with subsequent drug release. The FTIR data indicated no possible interaction between drug and excipients, In-vivo x-ray studies shows that the tablet successfully reached the targeted area, avoid the release in upper regions of gastrointestinal system.

Keywords: Solbutamol sulphate, Colon specific chronotherapeutic multiparticulate system (CSCMS), HPMC K 15 M, Guar gum, Xanthan gum, Chitosan.