DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TENOXICAM MICROCAPSULES PREPARED BY IONOTROPIC GELATION AND IN VIVO EVALUATION OF ULCEROGENIC ACTIVITY IN RATS

*Shaimaa S. Mahmoud, Esmat E. Zein, Mohamed A. Ossman, Omar Y. Mady, Yusuf A. Haggag and Karima I. El-Desoky

ABSTRACT

The formulation of tenoxicam using biodegradable and biocompatible polymers in the form of microcapsules is expected to decrease gastrointestinal side effects. Different microcapsule formulation of tenoxicam were prepared by ionotropic gelation technique using sodium alginate as a carrier and methyl cellulose as a release modifying agent. Microcapsules of tenoxicam prepared in this study were evaluated for flow properties, drug entrapment efficiency as well as drug release from various formulations. Controlled release microcapsules of tenoxicam were successfully prepared using Ionotropic Gelation Technique. The obtained results proved the suitability of the prepared microcapsules of tenoxicam as controlled release dosage forms. The flow characteristics showed Hausner's ratios of 1.25 and >23% respectively indicating excellent flow of the systems and slightly poor flowability of the drug alone. Tenoxicam entrapment efficiency in different formulations was not affected by neither the polymer type nor drug to polymer ratio which was ranged between 81 -93%. No significant drug-polymer interactions were observed in infrared studies. The surface morphology of drug-loaded microcapsules prepared with sodium alginate and methyl cellulose was spherical in shape and has large bridges observed on the outer surface. Pathologicalstudy of sectional stomach specimen from all groups appeared to support in vitro results in the comparative evaluation of the role of methyl cellulose as a protective polymer in decreasing the gastric ulcer induced in rats by tenoxicam.

Keywords: Microcapsules, Tenoxicam, design and characterization, ulcerogenic activity.