Formulation Development and evaluation of mucoadhesive tablets for vaginal delivery of metronidazole

Abstract

Vaginitis is a very common gynecological problem in women of all age groups. Metronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent of the nitroimidazole class and used against protozoa such as Trichomonas vaginalis, amebiasis, and giardiasis. The present study was aimed with the application of chitosan in combination with anionic polymers for the design and development of mucoadhesive tablets for vaginal delivery of Metronidazole. Matrix tablets of metronidazole were prepared in combination with polyelectrolyte complex by wet granulation method and further characterized for various formulation parameters, in-vitro muco adhesion and antimicrobial activity. The developed formulation showed significant mucoadhesion due to presence of chitosan or carrageenan and ionisation of amino groups of chitosan at pH 5.2. The developed formulation showed desirable characteristics in terms of FTIR, DSC, SEM, in vitro drug release, swelling behaviour as well for mucoadhesion and antimicrobial potential compared with the marketed formulation. In overall developed dosage form imparts desirable characteristics in formulation for vaginal delivery of metronidazole with enhanced therapeutic effects. Thus, this dosage form can be further investigated for therapeutic applications of metronidazole in vaginal drug delivery.