APPLICATION OF CURDLAN TO CONTROLLED DRUG-DELIVERY .3. DRUG-RELEASE FROM SUSTAINED-RELEASE SUPPOSITORIES IN-VITRO

The use of curdlan, a natural beta-1,3-glucan, in the preparation of s ustained release suppositories was studied in vitro. To prepare the su ppositories, indomethacin, prednisolone or salbutamol sulfate was mixe d with curdlan gel. Preparation conditions, including heating time and curdlan concentrations of 5 and 10%, had little effect on the drug re lease. The tonicity (hypotonic or isotonic) of the media for the suppo sitory preparation and for in vitro drug release study also had little effect on drug release. However, the heating temperature during gel p reparation, the drug amount in the suppository and the type of release media did affect drug release. It was found that drug release was sus tained and diffusion-controlled in the three drugs. And finally, curdl an can be applicable for use in a sustained release suppository.