FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ACYCLOVIR MATRIX TABLET USING MUCOADHESIVE POLYMER

ABSTRACT Mucoadhesive polymer owing to its binding capacity with gastric mucin prolongs the gastric residence time and thereby increases bioavailablity. In the present research work an attempt was made to formulate and evaluate sustain release mucoadhesive matrix tablet of acyclovir. Matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression technology using different types and levels of polymers viz. HPMC K15M, carbopol 934P, ethyl cellulose etc alone and in combinations. Compressed tablets were evaluated for thickness, friability, hardness, uniformity of weight, content of active ingredient, swelling and in vitro dissolution studies. The studies indicated that the drug release can be modulated by varying the concentrations of polymers. It was observed that combination of both the polymers in equal concentration exhibited the best release profile and able to sustain the drug release for 10 h. Kinetic studies were also carried out on different formulations which showed that formulation F1, F2, F3, F7, F8 and F10 followed zero order while F4, F5, F6 and F10 followed first order release kinetics. According to Korsmeyer Peppas, F1, F2, F3, F7, F8, F9 and F10 showed non fickian diffusion. While F4, F5 and F6 followed fickian diffusion. Stability studies revealed that all the formulation was found to be stable under accelerated stability studies. KEYWORDS:Â Acyclovir Mucoadhesive Matrix Tablet, Carbopol 934P, HPMC K15M, Ethyl Cellulose, Gastric Residence Time