DESIGN, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF TRAMADOL HCL LOADED MICROSPHERE PREPARED BY EMULSION SOLVENT EVAPORATION METHOD

Abstract

The aim of this work was to design a controlled-release drug-delivery system for the Tramadol HCl. Tramadol HCl was encapsulated using different EC (Ethyl Cellulose), HPMC K4M (Hydroxylpropyl methyl cellulose) and CAP (Cellulose Acetate Phthalate) polymers by an emulsion solvent evaporation technique and the physicochemical properties of the formulations were characterized. Using a solvent evaporation method, white spherical microspheres were produced. The in-vitro drug release was studied phosphate buffer pH 6.8 for 8 hours. The formulations were then evaluated for their pharmacokinetic parameters. The entrapment efficiency of these microspheres was between 71.89 % to 85.52 %. The obtained microspheres showed good flow properties, which were evaluated in terms of angle of repose, bulk and tapped densities, Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio. Particle size and drug release depend on the nature and content of polymer used. The drug release mechanism of the Tramadol HCl formulation can be explained using the zero order, First order, Higuchi model and Korsmeyer Peppas model. The controlled release of drug from Tramadol HCl microsphere provides for higher plasma drug content and improved bioavailability.