Volume :
1
Issue :
1
Abstract :
The aim of the present work was to prepare and evaluate floating microbeads of Valsartan. The use of natural polymers in dosage form design has received considerable attention, especially from the viewpoint of safety. Among the polymers, Low Methoxy Pectin (LMP), and copolymer Locust bean gum (LBG), Tamarind kernel Powder (TKP) and Gum Ghatti (GG). Microbeads formulation is based upon the interaction between the polymer (LMP) and cross linking agent. LMP is an anionic polymer, which can be easily cross linked with CaCl2. Microbeads were formulated in different ratio using LMP:LBG, LMP:TKP, LMP:GG as retarding agents and 10% of Calcium chloride (CaCl2), as cross linking agents by employing Ionic Gelation Technique. The complexation between Ca +2 ions with LMP along with natural copolymer leads to retard the release of the drug. Floating time and floating lag time, drug Entrapment efficiency and in-vitro dissolution studies were also carried out. Formulation (PTa) containing (LMP 3%+TKP3%) was found to give a maximum entrapment efficiency of 96.68% and an optimum drug release was 95.1% in eight hours (in pH 1.2 media). The invitro data was explored with zero order, first order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer equations. The release kinetics was found to be governed by the type and content of the polymer (LMP) and copolymer. Formulation (PTa) shows zero order release kinetics with higher (r2) values. By suitable modulation could be developed floating microbeads for this type of drug. Hence, Floating microbeads of Valsartan can be developed by using low methoxy polymer along with the natural polymers.