Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Olorunfemi, D.I., Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Okieimen, E.A., Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Ovwemuvwose, J., Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
The present work deals with the development and characterization of lercanidipine hydrochloride pulsatile drug delivery system for chronomodulated therapy for improvement in therapeutic index and efficacy. The lercanidipine hydrochloride chitosan microspheres were prepared by emulsion cross linking method by varying drug to polymer ratio and evaluated for the particle size, drug content and in vitro release profiles. Optimised formulations were selected and enteric coated with Eudragit S-100 and Eudragit L-100. The two enteric coated formulations were selected for further fabrication of pulsatile capsule. Different hydrogel polymers were used as plugs, to maintain a suitable lag period. The entire device was enteric coated with cellulose acetate phthalate, so that colon-specific release can be achieved In vitro release studies of pulsatile device revealed that, increasing the hydrophilic polymer content resulted in delayed release of lercanidipine Hcl from microcapsules. The microspheres remained stable during the stability period without any significant changes in their physico-chemical properties. © 2014 Vasile Goldis University Press.
