DESIGN AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTI-AMOEBIC TABLETS ON COLON DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

The present study aims to formulate colon targeted drug delivery of Metronidazole compression coated tablets by using different ratios of chitosan and pectin. Carbopol 934P coating is given for compression coated tablets which makes them able to release the drug at the pH of the colonic fluid. Core tablets of Metronidazole (400 mg) were prepared by using swellable and pH dependent polymers like chitosan and pectin in which PVP-K30 is used as a binder. Drug release profile was evaluated in simulated gastric fluid, intestinal fluid, and simulated colonic fluid. The results of drug release studies performed according to the USP paddle method by using 0.1N HCl for 2 h, pH 7.4 phosphate buffer for 3 h and pH 6.8 phosphate buffer up to 24 h without using rat caecal content. Compression coated tablets containing chitosan as polymer released 95-99% of Metronidazole in a simulated colonic fluid, whereas tablets containing pectin as polymer released 94-99% of Metronidazole. The stability study for prepared tablets at 40 °C / 75% relative humidity for 6 weeks showed no significant change in physical appearance, drug content uniformity and in-vitro drug release pattern. From the result, it can be concluded that formulation F1 (Chitosan compression coated tablets) and formulation F4 (Pectin compression coated tablets) were suitable for colonic drug delivery as drug release is maximum while compared to other formulations.