FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NOVEL IN SITU GEL OF LAFUTIDINE FOR GASTRO RETENTIVE DRUG DELIVERY

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate the novel in situ gel of lafutidine for gastroretentive drug deliveryMethods: A gastroretentive in situ gel of lafutidine was formulated by pH-triggered ionic gelation method using different concentrations of gelling polymer such as sodium alginate, gellan gum, and xanthum gum. Prepared formulations were evaluated for viscosity, density, buoyancy lag time and buoyancy duration, and drug content. In vitro drug release studies of all formulations were also performed. In vivo fluorescence imaging study was conducted for optimized formulation and compared with control.Results: The concentration of gelling agents and release retardant polymers significantly affected viscosity, floating behavior, and in vitro drug release of the formulations. The pH and drug content were found in the range of 6.72–7.20 and 88.74–95.33%, respectively. Floating lag time was <2 min; duration of floating was more than 12 h. Minimum and maximum in vitro drug release were found to be for formulation F9 (51.74%) and F1 (82.76%), respectively, at the end of 12 h. The drug was released from the all the formulations in a sustained manner. In vivo studies confirmed the gastroretention of the formulation in mice stomach for 8 h. Stability studies indicated that the there was no significant change in the visual appearance, floating behavior, and drug content.Conclusion: The gastroretentive in situ gel system, prolonged the gastric residence time, thereby targeting site-specific drug release in the upper gastrointestinal tract.