Abstract

FORMULATION OF PULSATILE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM OF THEOPHYLLINE USING GREWIA MOLLIS GUM

1Asemwota Iwinosa Osamudiamen, 1*Airemwen Collins Ovenseri, 2Abuluwoye Titilayo Olufunso, 3Obarisiagbon Aiwaguore Johnbull and 1Uhumwangho Uwumagbe Michael

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to formulate an optimised compression coated pulsatile-release tablets (CCPRTs) of theophylline, a bronchial dilator used in the management of bronchoconstriction, difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath associated with asthma using Grewia mollis (GM) gum as binder. Theophylline core tablets (CT) containing GM gum as binder and maize starch (10 %w/w) as disintegrant were formulated using a multiple rotary tableting machine. CCPRTs containing the inner core tablet with GM gum and sodium starch glycolate at varying concentrations (1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 % w/w) was also formulated to achieve a predetermined lag time for chronotherapy at a compression pressure of 30 N/m2 using a single punch tableting machine. Post compression studies such as tablet hardness, friability, drug content, disintegration and in-vitro dissolution were determined. The release profile showed that all the CCPRTs exhibited a unique lag time before the pulsatile release of the theophylline. The lag time of all formulations was between 2 - 6 h and it decreased with an increase in the concentration of the super disintegrant. Formulation CCPRT1 was considered as the optimized formulation since it yielded a predetermined lag time of 6.0 h before the pulsatile release of theophylline from the CCPRTs. Pulsatile drug delivery system of theophylline was successfully formulated which will be beneficial in the effective management of nocturnal asthma especially in the early hours of the morning when the symptoms of the disease are most prevalent.

Keywords: Theophylline, pulsatile, chronotherapeutics, Grewia mollis gum, core tablet.