FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF PREDNISOLONE TABLETS USING BIO-DEGRADABLE NATURAL POLYSACCHARIDES AS A CARRIER IN COLON TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY

The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate naturally obtained polysaccharides (Tamarind seed polysaccharide and Pectin) as a carrier in colon targeted drug delivery systems a colon targeted drug delivery. The newer developments in this context aim for an increased selectivity of drug delivery by targeting mechanisms which have a closer relation to pathophysiological particularities of the disease. The polysaccharides were characterized of its physical properties. The interaction between the excipcents and prednisolone was also studied through FTIR spectroscopy.  Tablets were then prepared by wet granulation method with different ratio of polysaccharides and evaluated for their physical properties like weight variation, hardness, friability and content uniformity. In vitro drug release studies were performed in conditions simulating stomach to colon transit. No significant release was observed at acidic pH, however, when it reached the colonic pH where, drug release was observed. Also, release of drug was found to be higher in presence of rat caecal content. Data were fitted to various kinetic models. The mechanism of drug release from tablets was found to be non-Fickian, anomalous transport.