FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF GASTRO-RETENTIVE MUCOADHESIVE MICROSPHERES OF LAFUTIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE USING NATURAL POLYMERS
Neha, Mohan Lal Kori, Devendra Kumar Bhopte
ABSTRACT
Gastro-retentive drug delivery systems are pivotal in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of drugs requiring prolonged gastric residence time. This study focuses on the formulation, characterization, and evaluation of chitosan microspheres loaded with Lafutidine HCl for targeted treatment of gastric disorders. Six formulations (F1 to F6) were prepared and assessed for yield, entrapment efficiency, stability in simulated gastric fluid (0.1 N HCl), particle size, zeta potential, mucoadhesive strength, and in vitro drug release kinetics. Formulation F3 emerged as optimal, demonstrating high yield (74.65%), significant drug entrapment efficiency (73.25%), and sustained release properties over 12 hours in acidic conditions. Particle size analysis revealed suitable dimensions for gastro-retentive applications, while strong mucoadhesive properties and controlled release kinetics were confirmed through mucoadhesion testing and kinetic modeling. These findings highlight chitosan microspheres as promising carriers for Lafutidine HCl, offering potential improvements in bioavailability, patient compliance, and therapeutic outcomes in gastric therapy.
[Full Text Article]