FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF CAPTOPRIL MICROSPHERES USING DIFFERENT POLYMERS.
The present study concerns the development of a new dosage form of captopril using the concepts of sustained release and mucoadhesion. Such a system has the advantage of controlling and prolonging the release of the drug by remaining in the stomach for a longer period of time. In the present study microspheres of captopril were prepared using a combination of polymers and different methods. The drug, captopril is selected owing to its water solubility and short halflife. Microspheres of captopril were prepared with a combination of polymers chitosan and sodium alginate using the method of ionic gelation. Another set of microspheres of captopril were prepared using a mixture of polymers, chitosan and HPMC. The technique used in the preparation of the second set of microspheres was phase separation emulsion technique. The prepared microspheres were then evaluated for drug content, particle size analysis, in-vitro drug release, mucoadhesion and stability studies. The SEM studies showed that the prepared microspheres were discrete and spherical in shape. The drug content of the first set of microspheres ranged between 79.2 to 86.7% whereas that of the second set of microspheres ranged between 70.3 and 77.4%. The formulations were studied for mucoadhesion and all the formulations showed good mucoadhesion. The drug release pattern for the formulations was slow and prolonged over a period of time.