FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT OF CONTROLLED RELEASE MUCOADHESIVE BEADS OF CAPECITABINE

The aim of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate controlled release beads containing capecitabine in order to decrease the dosing frequency. The beads were prepared using sodium alginate and chitosan by ionotropic gelation method. The concentrations of the polymers were optimized to obtain the spherical beads with sufficient integrity. The drug loaded beads were characterized for entrapment efficiency, size, shape, morphology, swelling index, mucoadhesion and in-vitro drug release and in-vitro cytotoxicity study. The prepared beads had spherical shape with smooth surface and improved micromeritic properties. The entrapment efficiency was found to be 58%, swelling index was 60% and they exhibited mucoadhesion to the intestinal tissue for more than 6 hours. The in-vitro drug release studies indicated that the beads were able to give zero order controlled release for a period of 6 hours. KEY WORDS: Capecitabine, Chitosan, Sodium alginate, Ionotropic gelatio