CALCIUM PECTINATE GEL BEADS FOR CONTROLLED-RELEASE DRUG-DELIVERY - I - PREPARATION AND IN-VITRO RELEASE STUDIES

Calcium pectinate gel (CPG) beads of indomethacin, a poorly soluble dr ug, were prepared by dispersing indomethacin in a solution of pectin a nd then dropping the dispersion into calcium chloride solution. The dr oplets instantaneously formed gelled spheres by ionotropic gelation. T he effect of several factors such as pectin type, the presence of a ha rdening agent and the drug loading were investigated on the percentage of drug entrapped, size distribution and drug release from the CPG be ads. The release characteristics were studied using the rotating baske t dissolution method. Strong spherical beads with narrow size distribu tions, high yields and good entrapment efficiencies could be prepared. All factors investigated have significantly affected the release of i ndomethacin from CPG beads. The mechanism of drug release from CPG bea ds followed the diffusion controlled model for an inert porous matrix. Therefore, calcium pectinate gel could be a useful carrier for contro lled release drug delivery of poorly soluble drugs. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.