FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GELUCIRE PELLETS FOR SUSTAINED RELEASE OF IBUPROFEN

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to develop ibuprofen (IBU) - loaded pellets by meltsolidification technique using Gelucire 50/13 (GL) as a lipid carrier in different concentrations.This system was intended to prolong the drug release in order to minimize the drug relatedadverse effects and improve bioavailability in different gastrointestinal tract conditions. Theprepared pellets were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Infraredspectroscopy (IR), and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies. Process yield, drugloading, encapsulation efficiency, and particle size distribution were also investigated. Theeffect of agitation speed and amount of GL on pellets properties was evaluated. In-vitro drugrelease of ibuprofen from prepared pellets was studied in HCl buffer (pH1.2) for 2 hrs, and inphosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for up to 8 hrs. The obtained pellets were spherical in shape withsmooth surfaces; and GL showed no interaction with the drug. The release of drug from thepellets showed low percentage of drug release in pH 1.2. However, at pH 7.4 the obtainedresults showed that optimum levels of drug were released in a sustained manner.