European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GERIATRIC-FRIENDLY PIOGLITAZONE DOSAGE FORM WITH MODULATED RELEASE RATE

Hadil S. Amin*, Asmaa A. Hedaya and Ebtessam A. Essa

ABSTRACT

Pioglitazone hydrochloride is an antidiabetic drug used to improve glycemic control in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. According to Biopharmaceutical classification system, it is categorized as Class II with poor aqueous solubility. However, it shows a pH-dependent solubility, with high solubility in the acidic gastric condition. Accordingly, development of oral in situ gel forming system with gastro retentive capability could optimize the therapy by sustaining the drug release. The benefit is maximized by improving compliance by geriatric and pediatric patients due to the ease of administration of the liquid dosage form. In situ gelling liquids were prepared using different concentrations of sodium alginate (1, 2 and 3%w/v). To reduce drug release in acidic conditions, pioglitazone-Eudragit L100 solid dispersion microparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation technique and were incorporated in the liquid systems. The prepared in situ gel forming liquids were evaluated regarding viscosity, flow property, gelling capacity and in vitro drug release. Solid dispersions reduced drug released in the acidic conditions relative to unprocessed drug. Increasing alginate concentration increased gelling capacity, viscosity and significantly reduced drug release from the formed gel resulting in sustained drug release pattern. The study introduced oral in situ gel forming liquids for convenient administration with improved patient compliance.

Keywords: Pioglitazone, in situ gelling, sodium alginate, Eudragit L100.