Swetha Konda, V. Vani, Satyabrata Bhanja, M. Sudhakar

Abstract

Irbesartan is an Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) used mainly for the treatment of hypertension. It competes with Angiotensin II for binding at the AT1 receptor subtype Unlike ACE inhibitors. The Mucoadhesive Microspheres of Irbesartan were formulated by orifice Ionic Gelation Technique employing polymers like Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose, Carbopol along with Sodium alginate. The Microspheres prepared were discrete, spherical and free flowing. Microspheres were evaluated for Flow properties, Particle size, Percentage yield, Drug entrapment efficiency, Percentage moisture loss, Swelling index, Loose surface crystal, in vitro wash-off test, in vitro drug release and drug release kinetics. The drug polymer interaction study was conducted by FT-IR and results indicate that there was no interaction between Irbesartan and polymers. The Percentage yield, Drug entrapment efficiency Particle size, Swelling index, Loose surface crystal and Percentage moisture loss of best formulation,F6 was found to be 88.12%, 83.06 ± 0.43%, 7.65 ± 0.47μm, 194 ± 3.65%, 22.32 ± 0.34% and 7.06 ± 0.45% respectively. The in vitro wash-off test indicated that the microspheres had good mucoadhesive properties. The in-vitro dissolution studies showed that Irbesartan Mucoadhesive Microspheres formulation F6 showed better sustained effect (94.97%) over a period of 8 hours than other formulations. Drug release was diffusion controlled and followed first order kinetics. Hence, prepared Mucoadhesive Microspheres may be an effective strategy for the development of easy, reproducible and cost effective method for safe and effective oral drug therapy.