World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF MUCOADHESIVE MICROCAPSULES OF METOPROLOL TARTRATE

R. Sunitha*, M. Lakshmi Surekha, R. Padma and M. Murali Krishna

ABSTRACT

The present research work was aimed at development and optimization of metaprolol tartrate mucoadhesive microcapsules to avoid first pass metabolism and to improve the therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. Metoprolol tartrate microcapsules with a coat consisting of alginate and mucoadhesive polymers such as sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, poly vinyl alcohol, carbopol 934, and HPMC 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 72.03 to 89.02%. 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 817 to 920?m. A percentage of moisture loss was calculated for all the prepared metaprolol tartrate microcapsules and was found to be within limit. The shape and surface characteristics were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which depicted the spherical nature and nearly smooth surfaces of the microcapsules. In vitro release studies in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer indicated non- Fickian or anomalous type of transport for the release of metaprolol tartrate from the microcapsules. Among all formulations metoprolol microcapsules containing sodium alginate and carbopol 934 showed higher encapsulation efficiencies, good flow property and maximum prolongation of drug release and goo mucoadhesion properties.

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