Investigation of Pectin-Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose-Coated Floating Beads for Pulsatile Release of Piroxicam

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to prepare pectin-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-coated floating beads for pulsatile release of piroxicam in the treatment of early morning inflammation.

Materials and methods: Piroxicam-loaded beads were prepared from sodium alginate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) in different concentrations of calcium carbonate using the ionotropic gelation method. In order to avoid drug release in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, the beads were coated with a pectin-HPMC layer using the dip coating method. Size analysis and encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, in vitro release, swelling behavior, and surface morphology studies of the beads were carried out.

Results: The in vitro release study revealed that the pectin-HPMC coating of the beads prevented the release of the drug in an acidic medium and provided pulsed release of the drug after a lag time. Formulation CF4 (containing calcium carbonate in the ratio 3:4 with respect to sodium alginate) exhibited pulsed release of 95.55% at the end of 7 h in phosphate buffer, which was after the desired lag time of 6 h.

Conclusion: The study revealed that optimized floating pulsatile beads coated with pectin-HPMC can efficiently retain piroxicam in an acidic medium and that there is pulsed release in an alkaline medium after a lag time. It also showed that the beads prepared can potentially be used for chronotherapeutic treatment of the disease associated with early morning inflammation.