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FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NIFEDIPINE MICROSPHERES OF CONTROLLED RELEASE USING NATURAL POLYMERS

. Saikat Das and Ravindra Keshavrao Kamble


Abstract

To develop and evaluate Nifedipine microspheres using natural polymers like Chitosan, Gelatin, and Sodium Alginate. Microspheres of Nifedipine were prepared by emulsification, suspension polymerization and emulsification solvent evaporation techniques by using polymers like Chitosan, Gelatin and Sodium Alginate respectively. Various evaluation parameters were assessed, with a view to obtain oral controlled release of Nifedipine. In the present study nine formulations were  formulated  by  using  Chitosan,  Gelatin,  Sodium Alginate  in  various  proportions.  The prepared Nifedipine microspheres were then subjected to particle size and size distribution, % yield, drug content, entrapment efficiency, in vitro dissolution studies, release kinetics. The FTIR Spectras revealed that, there was no interaction between polymers and Nifedipine. Nifedipine microspheres was spherical in nature, which was confirmed by SEM. Nifedipine microspheres with normal frequency distribution were obtained. A maximum of 66.5%, 93.90% and 84.20% drug entrapment efficiency was obtained in the Nifedipine microspheres which were prepared by using Chitosan, Gelatin and Sodium Alginate respectively. The in vitro performance of Nifedipine microspheres showed controlled release depends on the polymer concentration. The co-efficient of determination indicated that the release data was best fitted with zero order kinetics. Higuchi equation explains the diffusion controlled release mechanism. The diffusion exponent ‘n’ values of Korsemeyer-Peppas model were found to be Non-Fickian.  The present study conclusively demonstrates the feasibility of effectively encapsulating Nifedipine into Chitosan, Gelatin and Sodium Alginate microspheres to form potential controlled release drug delivery system.

Keywords: Nifedipine, Controlled release formulation, Microspheres, Natural polymers.

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