Formulation and Evaluation of Floating Microencapsules of Diltiazem Hydrochloride by Hot Melt Granulation Method

Abstract

Microencapsulation technology is an innovator in the encapsulation science. This technology forms a basis for the development of various micro and nano drug loaded capsules. Hot-melt granulation is an agglomeration process (HMG) these granules are obtained by melting binders that are heated to near or above their melting point. HMG is technique involving meltable binder to agglomerate fluidized dry powders. Fluidized Hot-melt granulation techniques have received enhancing attention due to the significant advantages compared to the other granulation methods. In the present study Diltiazem Hydrochloride was used as drug and there was usage of some natural and synthetic polymers were used like guargum, carbapol 940, HPMC K100 M, ethyl cellulose with bases like steric acid alone and in combination of stearic acid and glyceryl mono stearate. Where batches F1 to F4 were of stearic acid alone as base and batches C1 to C4 were of combination of stearic acid and glycerine monostearate in 1: 1 ratio. The optimised batch was of polymer Guargum 1% which is a natural polymer which shows sustained release tendency for any drug delivery system. In this formulation batch F4 having Guargum as polymer in the concentration of 1% gives maximum drug release for12 hrs. as 99.56% and gives sustained release for 12 hrs. which is better than other batches. Where other polymers like HPMC K100 m, Ethyl Cellulose, and Carbapol 940 was unable to give sustain release. This batch also shows Drug Entrapment Efficient as 99%, drug content uniformity 70%, floating lag time immediate and floats for more than 12 hrs.