Abstract

FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF REPAGLINIDE MUCOADHESIVE MICROSPHERES

Barath Nithish K.*, Jemimah S., Kamal Karunanithi, Senthilkumar Krishnan, Kannabirran Vaikumdam

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Abstract

Aim: To formulate gastro-retentive mucoadhesive microspheres of Repaglinide to achieve controlled drug release and enhanced oral bioavailability. Objective: To prepare microspheres using sodium alginate with xanthan gum and guar gum via ionic gelation. To evaluate physicochemical properties, drug entrapment, swelling, release profile, and stability. Materials and Methods: Repaglinide, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, and guar gum were used. Calcium chloride acted as a crosslinking agent. Six formulations were prepared with varying drug-to-polymer ratios. Preparation Methods: Microspheres were prepared using the ionic gelation technique. The drug-polymer dispersion was dropped into calcium chloride solution under stirring, forming spherical microspheres, which were filtered, washed, and dried. Evaluation Methods: Microspheres were assessed for percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, particle size, swelling index, and in-vitro drug release in simulated gastric fluid. Stability studies were performed on selected formulations. Results and Discussion: Percentage yield ranged from 78.65 % ± 0.55% to 88.18 % ± 0.51%, while entrapment efficiency was 81.20 ± 0.60% to 95.60 ± 0.48%. Particle size increased with polymer concentration (130.6 ± 4.5μm to 320.5 ± 4.2μm). Swelling index varied from 48.12 ± 0.003% to 62.41 ± 0.06%. In-vitro studies showed a sustained release pattern; formulation XAG-III achieved 98.96±0.16% and GAG-III 96.40±0.22% release due to higher polymer content. Stability results indicated no significant changes. Conclusion: The prepared mucoadhesive microspheres displayed satisfactory physicochemical and release characteristics, with potential for controlled delivery of Repaglinide in type 2 diabetes management.

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