EFFECT OF EXCIPIENTS ON THE RELEASE OF TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE FROM BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERIC IMPLANTS

Subcutaneous implantation of the drug is known to be the first medical approach aiming to achieve prolonged and continuous administration of drugs. The purpose of the research was to achieve sustained delivery of Tramadol Hydrochloride from biodegradable Gelatin-Sodium Alginate polymeric implant. Implants were prepared by using Gelatin-Sodium Alginate polymer in two ratios 70:30 & 80:20% w/w by heating and congealing method and then exposed to formaldehyde vapor for different periods (3, 6, 12 & 24 h) for hardening. Implants formulated with 80:20 Gelatin-Sodium Alginate ratio and hardened for 12 h were chosen for further studies based on drug loading and release performance. Effects of different excipients were studied on drug loading efficiency and drug release profile. Morphology of implant matrices, as studied by SEM, supported the experimental results. The release kinetics of drug was evaluated by fitting the data in four different kinetic models, namely, Zero order, First order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer‐Peppas. Implants were found to follow Korsmeyer Peppas Model the best in most cases. Good correlations were obtained with the Higuchi model as well. According to these models, the drug release mechanism was diffusion controlled.