Development of modified pulsincap drug delivery system of metronidazole for drug targeting

A modified Pulsincap dosage form of metronidazole was developed to target drug release in the colon. Bodies of hard gelatin capsules were treated with formaldehyde keeping the caps as such. Metronidazole pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization method were incorporated into these specialized capsule shells and plugged with polymers guar gum, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 10K, carboxymethylcellulose sodium and sodium alginate separately at concentrations 20 mg, 30 mg and 40 mg. The filled capsules were completely coated with 5% cellulose acetate phthalate to prevent variable gastric emptying. All the formulations were assayed to determine drug content and the ability of the modified Pulsincap to provide colon-specific drug delivery was assessed by in vitro drug release studies in buffer pH 1.2 for 2 h, pH 7.4 (simulated intestinal fluid) for 3 h and pH 6.8 (stimulated colonic fluid) for 7 h. The results indicated that significant drug release occurred only after 5 h from the start of experiment. Thus, metronidazole could be successfully colon targeted by the use of the modified Pulsincap, thereby reducing systemic side effects.

Journal: 
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical SciencesmYear : 2007 | Volume : 69 | Issue : 1 | Page : 24-27

Comments

Bhavin Sonagara's picture

I have gone through your article. Which create a question that what is the need of Pulsincap while we can make the colon targeted metronidazole tablet using various polymers which give eventually release in the colon? you have created coating of the CAP which can be erode when it comes in contact with higher pH so it will begin the action. Every people do not have same gastric emptying time so it will take time to dissolve the CAP coating. You have suggested that drug will act after 5hr. if person have early gastric emptying time (say 30 min) it will erode CAP early. if person have late gastric empyting (say 2 hr) it will take long time to erode CAP. So this will not be time dependent. It does not show any objective behind making the pulsincap of metronidazole while we can simply make tablet and coat it with the pH sensitive polymers. plz. reply and clarify my doubts.......