Abstract

GASTRO FLOATING HYDROGELS AS NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Bassel Hussein, Zeinab Mansour, Rawan Ibrahim and Muaaz Alajlani*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS) is a novel approach to drug delivery that addresses the limitations of the traditional drug delivery systems. NDDSs cure a particular disease by targeting the affected zone inside the patient's body and transporting the drug to that area. Floating Drug Delivery Systems (FDDS) are novel systems that have a bulk density lower than the gastric fluid and thus remain buoyant in the stomach without affecting the gastric emptying rate for an extended period. Gastro floating hydrogels can be used in drug delivery systems due to both gelling unique properties and floating in stomach fluids. Materials and Methods: Gastro floating hydrogels of Clarithromycin (CM) were formulated and prepared with different polymers such as: Carbopol, HPMC, MCC, and PEG. The floating time in the acidic fluid was calculated, and the drug release profiles in the acidic medium were obtained and studied. Results and Discussion: The optimal formula floated after 0.9 minute in contact of the acidic fluid, and both floating and drug release profiles showed extended release of CM and nearly complete release (98.5%) after 20 hours of the study.

Keywords: Drug delivery systems, Traditional drug, Gastro floating hydrogel, Carbopol, Clarithromycin, HPMC, acidic fluid, extended release.