Formulation and Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Tablets of Acarbose for Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

The objective of the study was to develop mucoadhesive tablet of Acarbose (α-glycosidase inhibitor) to enhance the bioavailability and to further reduce the dosing frequency of administration. The Mucoadhesive tablets of Acarbose were prepared by using three different Mucoadhesive polymers such as HPMC E5 LV, Sodium alginate and Guar Gum in varying concentrations and by direct compression technique. The micromeritics evaluation such as angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index and Hausner's ratio showed good to satisfactory flow properties. Swelling index was calculated with respect to time. The swelling index profile of all formulations, prepared as per the experimental design showed an increase in the value of swelling index as the amount of polymer increased. Maximum swelling index was found seen with formulations containing Sodium alginate, the value increases with increasing the amount of sodium alginate. The highest adhesion force i.e. highest strength of mucoadhesive bond was observed with Formulation F9 containing Guar gum as 18.02±0.17 this followed by F6 containing Sodium alginate as 16.33±0.56 and formulation F8 containing Guar gum in the ratio 1:2 as 14.26±0.11. The Adhesion Force increases with increasing the concentration of Mucoadhesive polymers used. The Tablets containing HPMC E5 LV showed least adhesive force than tablets of other formulations. The formulation F6 containing Sodium alginate was taken as optimized formulation based on its mucoadhesive strength and in vitro release was found to be optimum. The optimized formulation was subjected to kinetic drug release studies. The formulation best fitted into zero order kinetics. The drug release was dominated by the erosion and swelling of the polymer. From the release exponent in the Korsmeyer-Peppas model it could be suggested that the mechanism that leads to the release of drug was non-Fickian diffusion. Keywords: mucoadhesive tablet, Acarbose, Gastroretentive