Design, in vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Gemifloxacin Mesylate Floating Matrix Tablets
Objective of the investigation was to develop gastro retentive dosage form of gemifloxacin mesylate for local action in the stomach as it has antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori. Gemifloxacin mesylate is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial agent for oral administration, having 7 hrs half-life and 71% oral bioavailability. In present study, gemifloxacin mesylate floating matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method using polymers (HPMC K4M, HPMC K15M and polyox WSR 1105) and evaluated for various parameters like drug content, floating behavior (floating lag time and total floating time), in vitro drug release, swelling index, weight variation, friability, hardness and thickness. Sodium bicarbonate was incorporated as gas generating agent in all formulations. Drug-excipients compatibility was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Results have shown that the amount of polymer in the formulation affected the drug release. Optimized formulation (F8 containing polyox WSR1105 as release retarding agent) was selected based on in vitro drug release, floating lag time, floating time and other parameters. This formulation followed zero order kinetics and non-Fickian mechanism of drug release. In vivo radiographic study was conducted in healthy human volunteers using tablets containing BaSO4 as radio opaque agent. The average residence time was found to be 4.5± 0.86 h (n=3). This design of gastro retentive drug delivery system helps in increasing the local delivery of drug in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection