Formulation and evaluation of floating microbeads of ciprofloxacinHCl by emulsion gelation method

The objective of this investigation is to develop a multi-unit gastro retentive sustained release dosage form of a water soluble drug, Ciprofloxacin, from a completely aqueous environment avoiding the use of any organic solvent. A new emulsion gelation technique is used to prepare emulsion gel beads using sodium alginate as the polymer. The gel beads containing is prepare by gently mixing or homogenizing oil and water phase containing sodium alginate which is then extruded in to calcium chloride solution. The effects of factors like concentration of oil, curing time, drug: polymer ratio, alginate: pectin ratio and curing agent on drug entrapment efficiency, floating lag time, morphology and drug release are study. Minimizing the curing time of beads leaded to enhanced drug entrapment efficiency. The use of sodium alginate and combinations of sodium alginate and pectin are used to study the effect on the sustaining property of the formed beads. It is found that sodium alginate was not sufficient to sustain the drug release at gastric pH. Instead of it, appropriate combination of alginate and pectin could provide the sustain release of drug. The results show that these beads can entrap even a water soluble drug as Ciprofloxacin in sufficient amount and also can successfully deliver the drug in stomach for a prolong duration of time.