Preparation and evaluation of flutamide mucoadhesive microparticles loaded poloxamer suppositories

Abstract

Flutamide (FLT) is a potent non-steroidal anti-androgen drug primarily used in palliative treatment of prostate cancer that inhibits androgen uptake and/or nuclear binding of androgen in target tissues. The objective of the present study was to prepare FLT mucoadhesive microparticles. FLT mucoadhesive microparticles were developed by ionic gelation technique using hydrophilic polymers such as sodium alginate and Carbopol 971P and optimised by one factorial design of response surface methodology. The optimised microparticles were characterised by zeta potential study, in vitro release study, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction study. The stability studies performed on the optimized batch at 40 °C/75 % RH for 90 days indicated no significant change in the physicochemical properties. Optimised batch of microparticles was further developed as suppository system using different proportions of Poloxamer 407:Poloxamer 188 as suppository base by fusion method.