Development of controlled-release matrix tablets of anti-diabetic agent using natural and synthetic polymers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop and produce natural polymer-based controlled-release matrix tablets of metformin hydrochloride. The formulations were manufactured from a mixture of natural and synthetic polymers, including gum copal, gum damar, gum olibanum, xanthum gum, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K15M. The granules were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The kinetics of drug release from the formulations was determined by zero-order kinetic analysis. The formulas were found to be in the following ranges: 4.20.054 to 5.10.58 ​kg/cm2, 844.86.84 to 852.64.13 ​mg, 0.230.002 to 0.670.048 percent, and 99.450.15 to 101.930.16 percent, respectively. For all formulations, it was found that Carr's index, Hausner's ratio, bulk density, tapped density, and angle of repose were less than 15% and 1.18, respectively, indicating that the generated tablets had acceptable flow properties. Formulations F3, F4, and F5, which contained varying amounts of gum copal, showed respective drug release rates of 91.21 percent, 85.69 percent, or 99.87 percent after 12 ​h. For formulations F11, F12, and F13, which included varying quantities of olibazine gum, after 10, 10, and 9.5 ​h, it generated 100% drug release after 10, 10.5, and 10 ​h. Formulation F5 which included gum copal, and the HPMC showed sufficient release to exert the necessary therapeutic effect in under 12 ​h, whereas the other formulations showed anomalous or non-Fickian diffusion. This study suggests that matrix tablets for continuous controlled release can be made.