EVALUATION OF THE SWELLING, EROSION AND DRUG RELEASE FROM POLYSACCHARIDE MATRIX TABLETS BASED ON PECTIN AND INULIN

The aim of this study was to investigate swelling, erosion and drug release behavior of tablets containing pectin and inulin (polysaccharide) compared with different grades of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HMPC) in the preparation of slow-release tablets. In this study, theophylline was used as a drug model. HPMC K100 and HPMC K4M and high methoxylated pectin were selected as extended release matrix formers. Tablets were prepared by using direct compression. After determination of mechanical properties, swelling, erosion and drug release studies of matrix tablets were carried out in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and distilled water. The results of study showed a pH-dependent formation of hydrogel for the pectin tablets so that swelling of tablets in SIF was much more compared to SGF. Tablets made of HPMC K100 released the total drug in 12 h while drug release from pectin-based tablets at the same time was only 65%. Other formulations released their drug less than 12 h. Among the formulations, tablets containing pectin and HPMC K100 had high swelling, low erosion and slow drug release and therefore they were suitable as extended release systems