Development and Characterization of Eudragit RS 100 Loaded Microsponges and its Colonic Delivery Using Natural Polysaccharides

In the present work, paracetamol loaded eudragit based microsponges were prepared using quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. The compatibility of the drug with various formulation components was established. Process parameters were analyzed in order to optimize the formulation. Shape and surface morphology of the microsponges were examined using scanning electron microscopy. The colon specific formulations were prepared by compression coating of microsponges with pectin:hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) mixture followed by tabletting. The in vitro dissolution studies were done on all formulations and the results were evaluated kinetically and statically. The kinetics of release study showed that the release data followed Higuchi matrix and the main mechanism of drug release from microsponges was diffusion. In vitro studies exhibited that compression coated colon specific tablet formulations started the release the drug at the 6th hour corresponding to the arrival time to proximal colon