Preparation of Gefitinib Loaded Polycaprolactone Microcapsule For Controlled Release Drug Delivery System

Abstract

The aim of the study was to prepare gefitinib-loaded polycaprolactone microcapsules by simple conventional solvent evaporation method with a view to achieve controlled release of the drug following subcutaneous administration once in a week for targeted therapeutic action especially locally. The microcapsules were prepared using different drug-polymer ratios (1:2, 1:4 and 1:6) and three different stabilizers/surfactants (0.25% w/v, 0.50% w/v and 0.75% w/v) concentrations in aqueous phase. Depending upon the formulation variables, the highest drug entrapment efficiency and the lowest average particle size diameter of the microcapsules were found to be respectively 90.19±2.61 % and 201±3.05 µ. Comparison of Fourier Transform Infra Red spectra of gefitinib, polycaprolactone, their physical mixture and the drug- loaded microcapsules showed the absence of drug -polymer interaction .The in-vitro dissolution study showed that the release of drug from the microcapsules was almost complete on day seventh and the drug release followed Higuchi model.