Abstract

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF ENTACAPONE LOADED ETHYL CELLULOSE SUSTAINED RELEASE MICROSPHERES

Hetu R. Tailor*, Dr. Vishnu M. Patel, Dr. Anil S. Solanki and Dr. Anand K. Patel

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research work was to prepare and evaluate sustained release microspheres of entacapone using ethyl cellulose polymer. Drug have short half-life (1.5-3 hr.), hence frequent administration of dosage forms required, so the possible way by which this can be overcome by preparing sustained release microspheres formulation. Microspheres can also improve patient compliance. Microspheres of entacapone were prepared by solvent evaporation method using polymer ethyl cellulose. In present study nine each formulation were formulated by ethyl cellulose in various proportions. Various parameters were assessed, with a view to obtain oral sustained release of entacapone. The prepared microspheres were then subjected to SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), GC (Gas chromatography), particle size distribution, % yield, %drug entrapment efficiency, in vitro dissolution study, drug release kinetics. FTIR studies indicated no interaction between drug and excipients. Microspheres are spherical in nature, which was confirmed by SEM. Residual solvent was found in safe amount by gas chromatography. The co-efficient of determination indicated that the release data was best fitted with zero order kinetics. Among the all formulation (E1 to E9) the E6 formulation was found to be the best formulation. It showed the maximum drug entrapment efficiency (96.14%) and drug release (97.32%). It was subjected to accelerated stability studies for one month. The formulation was found to be stable.

Keywords: Entacapone, ethyl cellulose, sustained release, microspheres.