DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF ACYCLOVIR MUCOADHESIVE MICROCAPSULES Research Article

Acyclovir microcapsules with a coat consisting of alginate and mucoadhesive polymers such as sodium carboxy methyl cellulose and methyl cellulose were prepared by an ionotropic gelation technique. The microcapsules were prepared and found to be discrete, free flowing, spherical to near spherical and without aggregation. The microencapsulation efficiency was found to be in between 38.60% to 70.35%. The percent yield, drug entrapment and drug content in all formulations were good. The average particle size was found to be in the range of 409.25 to 725µm. A percentage of moisture loss was calculated for all the prepared acyclovir microcapsules and was found to be within limit. The swelling indices of all the formulation were enhanced with the increased alginate concentration. Microcapsules prepared with sodium carboxy methyl cellulose with alginate (FS1) exhibited good mucoadhesive property in the in-vitro wash off test. Acyclovir release from these mucoadhesive microcapsules was slow and extended over a period of 8 hour and depends upon the concentration of alginate. All formulations were followed first order kinetics with diffusion mechanism. In conclusion, alginate-sodium CMC mucoadhesive microcapsules could be promising vehicle for the controlled release of Acyclovir.