Preparation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Nicardipine Hydrochloride Microcapsules

Nicardipine Hydrochloride microcapsules with a coat consisting of Cyclohexane and a polymer such as Ethyl cellulose were prepared by Coacervation phase separation induced by the addition of non solvent. By Scanning Electron Microscopy, the microcapsules were found to be spherical, without aggregation, discrete and free flowing. The maximum percentage of drug content was found to be 82.12 % in formulation F1 with the drug: polymer ratio (4:1) .Entrapment efficiency were found to be in the range of 80 % to 107% .The average particle size were found to be in the range of 123 µm to 88 µm. Percent of loose drug on surface were found to be in the range of 3.54% to 8.65%. All the formulations showed good flowability. The in-vitro drug release for all the formulations F1 to F9 were found to be 6.8% to 17.14% drug release in first hour and 56.87% to 98.8% drug release at the end of 12 hrs. Among the nine formulations, F4 shows maximum drug release i.e. 98.8% at the end of 12 hrs. All the formulations F1 to F9 were found to be Zero order drug release with Non Fickian diffusion mechanism. The FTIR study indicates that there was no drug interaction and complexation occur during the manufacturing process.