Research on natural polymer in execution of raft forming gastro- retentive drug delivery system

For the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers, raft forming systems incorporating Nizatidine were developed to provide sustained drug release and prolong gastric residence time. The raft forming formulations contained Nizatidine as a raft forming agent, Isabgol as a gelling polymer and sodium bicarbonate as an agent to generate gas and calcium carbonate as an agent to strengthen gels. Sodium bicarbonate, along with divalent Ca++ ions, forms a floating raft loaded with drugs. Raft formulation was optimized by applying Full Factorial Design of 33. Testing was done on all batches for pH, In-Vitro Floating, Raft strength, Acid Neutralizing capacity, viscosity, and drug release. The majority of formulations using Isabgol as a gelling agent have a gelled raft in less than 2 minutes and are buoyant for more than 8 hours in 0.1N hydrochloric acid having pH 1.2. Optimized batches show good administration capabilities and better stability over six months. The studies conducted suggested that raft forming systems made from natural polymers carrying drugs could be used to deliver gastroretentive drugs