FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND PHARMACODYNAMIC EVALUATION OF COLON TARGETED CONTROLLED RELEASE LORNOXICAM PELLETS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

The aim of the present research work was to formulate and evaluate colon targeted pellets of lornoxicam for the pain management of rheumatoid arthritis. The product and process parameters were optimized by screening methods. Pellets were prepared by extrusion spheronization method using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as spheronizing aid and ethyl cellulose (EC) as controlled release polymer, in different ratios. Based on the physical appearance, sphericity and % in vitro drug release, batch B17 containing EC: MCC (6:4) was optimized for core pellets. The site specificity was obtained by screening Eudragit FS30D and Eudragit S100 as coating polymers and the core pellets were coated with Eudragit S100. The batch C4 (6%) showed appropriate physical appearance and % in vitro drug release upto 24 h, indicating controlled release property. The pharmacodynamic studies performed on rat model indicated the anti-inflammatory activity of pellet formulation. Thus, it is concluded that the coated pellets can be a good candidate for site specific delivery of lornoxicam to colon by decreasing the gastric irritation, reducing dose frequency and improving patient compliance.