FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF VINPOCETINE ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS: IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION AND IN-VIVO PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY

Objective: This research article aims to formulate and evaluate orodispersible tablets (ODTs) for Vinpocetine, a nootropic drug used for improving brain functions and cerebral blood flow. This will provide a convenient way for taking medication for dysphagia patients and therefore improve compliance. Methods: Vinpocetine ODTs were prepared by using superdisintegrants. A full mixed 3¹×4¹ factorial design was applied to evaluate the effect of two independent variables, namely superdisintegrant type (crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate) and superdisintegrant concentration (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) on four responses namely friability, disintegration time, wetting time and dissolution percent after 5 min. Compatibility study was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry. Various physico-chemical properties were measured, and in-vivo pharmaco-kinetic study for a selected formula was performed against a conventional tablet market product. Results: Results showed that formulae ingredients were compatible. Crospovidone showed the shortest disintegration time and wetting time. Friability was less than 1%in all formulae, and dissolution percent after 5 min was greater than 80% in all formulae. Statistical evaluation of the results showed that tablets prepared by crospovidone showed the highest desirability value. The in-vivo study showed higher C_max and AUC of ODTs over conventional tablets. Conclusion: It can be concluded that vinpocetine ODTs can be successfully prepared using superdisintegrants, and the selected ODT formulation showed improved bioavailability compared to conventional tablet market product.