PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF THIOPECTIN BASED MUCOADHESIVE MICROSPHERES OF SALBUTAMOL SULPHATE

Abstract

The present research aimed at formulation and evaluation of the mucoadhesive microspheres forsalbutamol sulphate using thiolated pectin as a polymer for controlled release dosage form by optimization technique using software-based response surface methodology. In current investigation preparation of salbutamol based mucoadhesive microspheres was optimized using two important process variables i.e. drug: polymer ratio and volume of glutaraldehyde. The desired responses are particle size and drug entrapment efficiency. Optimization was done by fitting experimental data to the software programme (Design Expert 9 trial version). The microspheres were evaluated for physicochemical parameters as shape, size, Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR), XRD and% entrapment efficiency. SEM studies showed that the microspheres were in a spherical form. The Entrapment efficiency of salbutamol microspheres was found to be 61 ± 1.34%. Further it was found that optimum % Entrapment efficiency and Particle size can be achieved by using best possible combination of Drug: Polymer ratio and volume of cross-linking agent. The in vitro drug release estimated in 0.1N HCl (pH 1.2) after 8 hours was found to be 81.65 ± 1.301%. The release studies showed the drug release was increased with thiolated pectin formulation as compared to the formulation prepared by pectin.