Acceptance rate 46%
Time to first decision 20 days*
Time to decision with review 50 days*

*Approximate number of days

**The days mentioned above are averages and do not indicate exact durations. The process may vary for each article.


ACTA Pharmaceutica Sciencia 2011 , Vol 53 , Num 3
FORMULATION AND IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE MICROBALLOONS AS A NOVEL GASTRO-RETENTIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM
RAHUL DHONDİRAM CHALİKWAR, ADHİKRAO VYANKATRAO YADAV, SHAİLESH SUBHASH CHALİKWAR
School of Pharmacy, S.R.T.M. University, Nanded-431 606, India A sustained release system for Diltiazem Hydrochloride designed to increase its residence time in the stomach without contact with the mucosa was achieved through the preparation of microballoons as gastro-retentive drug delivery system. Microballoons were prepared by the o/o emulsion solvent diffusion-evaporation method utilizing two different acrylic polymers like Drugcoat RS 100, Drugcoat RL 100 and one ethyl cellulose with three different ratios of polymers. The prepared microballoons were evaluated for polymer compatibility, percentage recovery, drug entrapment, micrometric properties, surface morphology, in vitro floatation ability, in vitro release studies, and release kinetics and stability study. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed their hollow structures for its buoyancy. All Formulations show good floatability and drug entrapment. Formulation F6 containing drug and Drugcoat RS 100 (1:2) which showed appropriate balance between release rate and buoyancy could be advantageous in terms of increased bioavailability of Diltiazem Hydrochloride. The formulation was found to be physically and chemically stable as per ICH guidelines. Keywords : DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE, MICROBALLOONS, DRUGCOAT, O/O EMULSION SOLVENT DIFFUSION-EVAPORATION METHOD

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