FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING IN SITU GEL BASED GASTRORETENTIVE DRUG DELIVERY OF CIPROFLOXACIN HCL

The objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate a gastro retentive in situ gelling system of ciprofloxacin HCl using HPMC K100M, sodium alginate gelling polymer, calcium chloride and calcium carbonate as a cross linking agent for potentially treating gastric ulcer, associated with Helicobacter pylori. The drug delivery systems of in situ forming polymeric formulation is in sol form before administration in the body, but once administered, that under goes gelation in situ to form a gel. The formulation of gel depends up on factor like temperature modulation, pH changes and presence of ions from which drug gets released in sustained and controlled manner. The floating in situ gelling systems were prepared by dissolving various concentration of sodium alginate in deionized water, to which varying concentrations of drug. The results shows that the formulas which containing a combination of the polymers (sodium alginate and HPMC K 100 M) shows more retardation in drug release than formulas based only with sodium alginate at the same percentage. The increasing gas generating agent calcium carbonate reduces floating lag time gelling integrity and increase floating duration. The formulation batch F6 was most suitable preparation being able to control the drug release for longer duration with administration and physiological suitability in terms of pH and viscosity. The in situ gel exhibited the expected, viscosity, drug content, pH, in vitro gelling capacity, in vitro floating ability, water uptake ability and sustained drug release. A stomach specific in situ gel of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride could be prepared using floating mechanism to increase the residence time of the drug in stomach and thereby increase the absorption. Key Words: In situ gel, Gelation, Gastro retentive drug delivery system, H. pylori, Ciprofloxacin HCl.