Bioadhesive Microspheres as Sustained Release Drug Delivery System

Mucoadhisive microcapsules are proposed for the antidiabetic drug glipizide, to obtain controlled release. Glipizide microcapsules with a coat consisting of pectin was prepared by employing ionic gelation process and emulsification ionotropic gelation process. The microcapsules were evaluated for flow properties, Carr s index, hausner ratio, micro encapsulation efficiency, drug release characteristics, surface characteristics; compatibility studies mucoadhesive properties. Pectin is a polysaccharide with a variable molecular weight. In the presence of calcium ions, pectin forms a gel of calcium pectinatethat are more resistant to disruption in the gut than alginate gel. Researchers have formulated oral controlled release products of glipizide by various techniques. Dosage forms that are retained in the stomach would increase the absorption, improve drug efficiency and decrease dose requirements. Thus, an attempt is made in the present investigation to use chitosan as a mucoadhesive polymer and prepare microspheres. The microspheres will be characterized by in-vitro and iv-vivo tests and factorial design will be employed to optimize the variables.