FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NATAGLINIDE MICROSPHERES

The floating drug delivery system was first described by Davis (1968). Several approaches are currently used to prolong gastric retention time. These include floating drug delivery systems. FDDS are known as Hydro dynamically balanced systems or low-density system that has been made developed to increase the gastric transit time of drug [1]. Since the last three decades many drug molecules formulated as Gastroretentive Drug Delivery System (GRDDS) have been patented keeping in view its commercial success. Oral controlled release (CR) dosage forms have been extensively used to improve therapy of many important medications [2]. These microspheres are characteristically free flowing powders consisting of natural or synthetic polymers m.mand ideally having a particle size less than 200µm. Microspheres incorporating a drug dispersed or dissolved throughout particle matrix have the potential for the controlled release of drug [3]. Floating microspheres are one of the multiparticulate drug delivery systems and are prepared to obtain prolonged or controlled drug delivery, to improve bioavailability and to target drug to specific sites.The present work described floating microspheres of Nateglinide was formulated and evaluated. In this present work attempt was being made for the preparation of various formulations (F1 to F4). The formulations were prepared with varying concentration of ethyl cellulose and HPMC & keeping Nateglinide concentration constant. The evaluation of all formulation were carried of its Floating ability, Micromeritic property, % drug content, Entrapment efficiency, SEM photography, FTIR drug – polymer interaction study, and in- vitro drug release study in triplicate. From this investigation it was concluded that the formulation F4 was a good formulation. Where the formulation was having 70% drug content, with controlled and zero order drug released kinetics observed up to 12 hour and having up to 24 hour of floating behaviour. From SEM studies the formulation was found in spherical nature. The loading efficiency was studied during the evaluation and found high in F4. The formulation was relatively stable, reproducible and ideal for the floating drug delivery. So, the formulation F4 is more effective in the treatment of Type-2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus