FORMULATION DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF PULSATILE RELEASE TABLET OF ACEBROPHYLLINE WITH SWELLING AND ERODIABLE LAYERS FOR TREATMENT OF NOCTURNAL BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Acebrophylline is a bronchodilator with mucosecrytolytic and anti-inflammatory activity. It is used to treat the bronchial asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. This work is based on the formulation and optimization of time dependant pulsatile release tablets of Acebrophylline having adequate mechanical strength of tablet and proper drug release of tablet. Pulsatile drug delivery system has an advantage as delivers the drug at right place, right time and right quantity. The crucial aspect in the formulation of pulsatile drug delivery system is to release the drug as pulse after a lag time has to be designed in such a way that rapid and complete drug release follows after lag time. Present work conceptualizes a specific technology, based on pulsatile principles to develop drug delivery system, intended for chronotherapy in bronchial asthma. This approach will be achieved by using a programmed delivery of acebrophylline. In this work rapid pulse to pulsatile drug delivery system can be achieved through immediate release tablet with good mechanical strength and proper disintegration. Lag time in pulsatile drug delivery system can be maintained by using coating with time responsive polymer having good mechanical strength. In this study immediate release tablet can be prepared by using two super disintegrants as Cross carmellose sodium and Cross-povidone to give rapid pulse of drug. The lag time of pulsatile drug delivery system can be maintained by coating using extended release polymer as HPMC E 50 (Methocel E 50). The programmable pulsatile release of Acebrophylline was consistent with the demands of bronchial asthma.