Abstract
Purpose: To compare the effects of two states of polymer/polymer blending (dry and aqueous/lyophilized) on the physicomechanical properties of tablets, containing blends of locust bean gum (LB) with Eudragit ® E100 (E100) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) as matrices. Methods: LB, SCMC and E100 were blended in their dry (as purchased) state or modified by aqueous blending and subsequent lyophilization, prior to use as matrices in tablets. The polymer blends were characterized by infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), flow and compressibility tests, as well as physicomechanical analysis of their tablets. Results: No significant variations were noticeable in the FTIR peaks of the individual polymers in the dry and the aqueous/lyophilized states. Aqueous/lyophilized blending of the polymers resulted in better flow properties. The aqueous/lyophilized matrices were denser with improved mechanical strength and the tablets were harder than those produced from dry blended polymers. Conclusion: Dry blending of LB with E100 and SCMC greatly improved the physicomechanical properties of the tablets. This was further enhanced by aqueous/lyophilized blending. Keywords: Drug delivery, Polymer blend, Eudragit, Locust bean gum, Levodopa, Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Matrix, Physicomechanical properties
Highlights
Polymers may be used to retard the rate of release of drugs with the aim of producing a relatively uniform release over time
As a solution of E100 is added to sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC), a color change was observed
The E100-SCMC blend appeared entangled with increased viscosity
Summary
Polymers may be used to retard the rate of release of drugs with the aim of producing a relatively uniform release over time. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC), Eudragit® (E100) and locust bean (LB) were used in their dry (as purchased) and modified (aqueous blending and subsequent lyophilization) states They were used in formulation of tablet matrices individually as well as in combination (the three polymers combined). The samples were separately placed in direct contact with the ATR crystal and the pressure arm positioned directly on the sample and using the instrument software, the spectra were obtained over the specified range above Techniques such as flow rate, angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density and compressibility index were undertaken to compare the flow and compressibility properties of polymer/polymer blend in its dry and modified states applying the equations as stated by Ngwuluka et al [8]. Basic statistics, such as standard deviation was used to analyze the physicochemical data such as those of flow rate, angle of repose, hardness, densities and resilience
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