JPRHC
Research Article
                      SUSTAINED RELEASE ITOPRIDE HYDROCHLORIDE MATRIX TABLET
                            BHUPENDRA G.PRAJAPATI, NIKLESH PATEL, HITESH K. PATEL
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                                       This paper is available online at www.jprhc.com
ABSTRACT                                                               of the Sustained release formulation. 32 factorial designs
                                                                       were applied to the polymer concentration that affects the
          Oral route gets the highest priority for the                 drug release profile. Reduced equation for drug release at
delivery of the drug as well as better patient compliance in           2hr,6hr,and10hrwere
case of self delivery dosage formulation. The aim of                                                                                2
                                                                       Q2     37.644 5.41X1 3.25X 2                  2.017X1            ,
present investigation was undertaken with the objective of
                                                                                                                               2
formulating sustain release      formulation of      Itopride          Q6     72.367 8.05 X 1 4.4 X 2              3.75 X 1        ,and
hydrochloride for oral drug delivery. Itopride hydrochloride
                                                                       Q10     90.844 5.8 X1 2.633X 2                2.8 X1 X 2
is    highly     water     soluble      prokinetic      drug.
                                                                       respectively. Optimized batch F019 shows good tablet
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose      K4M    (lower      viscosity
                                                                       properties like hardness(7-9kg/cm2), thickness(4.48mm),
grade) and K100M (higher viscosity grade) were used as a
                                                                       friability(0.024%),assay(99.3%) and nearly similar drug
matrix forming agents to control the release of drug. HPMC
                                                                       release profile to the targeted reference drug release profile
K4M and HPMC K100M were used individually as well as
                                                                       and it was indicated by similarity factor (f2=86.04).
in combination with different proportion in the preparation
                                                                       KEY          WORDS:            Itopride       hydrochloride,
                                                                       Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), Sustained release,
                                                                       Prokinetic drug
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                                                                                                          Research Article
INTRODUCTION                                                                Microcrystalline Cellulose (pH 102) was purchased from
                                                                            FMC Biopolymer, Shangai, China. Lactose (DCL 21) was
                 Oral route of drug administration is perhaps the           purchased from DMV International, Veghel, Netherlands.
most appealing route for the delivery of drugs. Of the                      Pregelatinize Starch was purchased from Colorcon Asia
various dosage forms administered orally, the tablet is one                 Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, India. Colloidal silicon dioxide was
of the most preferred dosage forms because of its ease of                   purchased from Cabot sanmar Ltd., Chennai, India.
manufacturing, convenience in administration, accurate                      Magnesium Stearate was purchased from Amishi drugs &
dosing, stability compared with oral liquids, and because it                Chemicals, Ahmedabad, India.
                                           [1-4]
is more tamperproof than capsules.                 Sustained release
drug system is “any drug or dosage form modification that                   Methods:
prolongs the therapeutic activity of the drug.”5 Ideally a
                                                                            Drug excipients compatibility study
sustained release oral dosage form is designed to release
rapidly some pre determined fraction of the total dose in to
GI tract. This fraction (loading dose) is an amount of drug,                       API and excipients were been thoroughly mixed in
which will produce the desired pharmacological response                     predetermined ratio and passed through the 40# sieve. The
as promptly as possible and the remaining fraction of the                   blend was to be filled in transparent glass vials and were
total dose (maintenance dose) is then release at a constant                 closed with gray coloured rubber stoppers and further
        [5-6]
rate.           Hypromellose (Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose) is              sealed with aluminum seal and charged into stress
widely used in oral, ophthalmic and topical pharmaceutical                  condition at 25ºCº±2°C / 60%RH± 5 % RH and 40ºC±2°C /
formulations.7 Itopride hydrochloride, a novel prokinetic                   75%RH± 5 % RH. Similarly API was also kept at same
agent is best candidate for Gastro esophageal reflux disease                condition as for the samples. Samples were withdrawn for
(GERD). Itopride 50mg is given thrice in a day along with                   analysis within two days of sampling date as per the
Proton pump inhibitor.8 By developing the sustain release                   compatibility study plan. Physical observation should be
formulation of Itopride hydrochloride, the frequency of                     done at every week up to 1 month and DSC studies were
drug administration can be reduce to once only to obtain                    carried out to determine the compatibility of excipients
good therapeutic response. The prepared formulation is                      with the drug.9
usually taken on an empty stomach about an hour before
                                                                            Full Factorial Design:
meals and efficient to overcome GERD for 24 hr. Sustain
release formulation of Itopride hydrochloride gives better
                                                                                      After studying results from preliminary batches,
patient compliance by reducing dosage frequency.
                                                                             2
                                                                            3 full factorial designs were prepared as shown in table 1.
                                                                            In this design 2 factors are evaluated, each at 3 levels, and
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
                                                                            experimental trials are performed at all 9 possible
Material
                                                                            Combinations. The amounts of matrixing agent, HPMC
                                                                            K4M (X1), HPMC K100M (X2) were selected as
                 Itopride hydrochloride was received as a gift
                                                                            independent variables. The Q2, Q6 and Q10 were selected as
sample from Cadila Healthcare ltd, Ankleshvar, India.
                                                                            dependent variables.[10-12]
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) K4M and K100M
were            purchased   from    Dow      Chemicals,       India.
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                                                                                              Research Article
Preparation of Itopride HCl SR Tablets:                             In-vitro dissolution profile of prepared Itopride HCl SR
                                                                    Tablets
           Itopride HCl SR Tablets were prepared by direct
compression technique as follow. Drug was passed through                      The release rate of Itopride HCl from SR tablets
40# sieve. HPMC K4M & HPMC K100M was passed                         was determined using United State Pharmacopoeia (USP)
through 30# sieve. All the other ingredients were passed            XXIV dissolution testing apparatus II (paddle method). The
through 40 # sieve accept Mg Stearate which was passed              dissolution test was performed using 900 ml of 0.1 N HCl
through 60# sieve. Itopride HCl, Lactose DCL 21 & MCC               (PH=1.2), at 37°C ± 0.5°C at 50rpm. A sample (10 ml) of
Avicel pH102 were mixed in double cone blender for                  the solution was withdrawn from the dissolution apparatus
10minute at 18 RPM. Add polymer and colloidal silicon               at different time interval. The samples were replaced with
dioxide into above mixture and again mixed for 10minute             fresh dissolution medium of same quantity. Drug released
at 18 RPM. Add Mg Stearate into above mixture and mixed             were analyzed at 258 nm wavelength using 0.1N HCl as a
it for 3minute at 18 RPM. The prepared blend was                    reference standard by Shimadzu UV1700 Double beam
compressed (14/32 diameter, flat punches) using 16 station          Spectrophotometer, Shimadzu (Kyoto, Japan.). 14
tablet compression machine (Cadmach, Ahmedabad, India).
Evaluation of SR Tablets                                            Comparison of dissolution profiles by statistical analysis
                                                                    with marketed product
           The tablet geometry was determined by a means
of Digital vernier calipers. Five tablets were used, and                      The similarity factor (f2) was defined by CDER,
average values were calculated. While the breaking                  FDA and EMEA as the “logarithmic reciprocal square root
strength (hardness) of five tablets was determined using the        transformation of one plus the mean squared difference in
Benchsavertm Series type hardness tester and the average            percent dissolved between the test and the reference
values were calculated. Twenty tablets of each formulation          products”. Moore and Flanner give the model independent
were checked visually for any discoloration or surface              mathematical approach for calculating a similarity factor f2
roughness in the tablet formulation. To study weight                for comparison between dissolution profiles of different
variation test, twenty tablets of the formulation were              samples. The similarity factor (f2) given by SUPAC
weighed using a Mettler Toledo electronic balance and the           guidelines for modified release dosage form was used as a
test was performed according to the official method. The            basis to compare dissolution profile. The dissolution
friability of twenty tablets was measured by Roche                  profiles of products were compared using f2. The similarity
friabilator for 4 minute at 25rpm for 100 revolutions.              factor is calculated by following formula. 15
Accurately weigh twenty tablets placed into Roche
friabilator for 100 revolutions than dedust the tablets and
                                                                                                                     2   0.5
weigh.13                                                                                            n
                                                                     f2    50X log 1           1         wt Rt Tt              X 100
                                                                                               n   t 1
                                                                                    (2)
             W0 W
% Friability      100
              W0                                                    Where, n is the number of dissolution time points
(1)
                                                                              Rt – The reference profile at the time point t
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                                                                                               Research Article
          Tt - The test profile at the same point.                             Reproduce large scale batch F019 in blister pack
                                                                     (PVDC – Alu blister packing), was placed for stability
A value of 100% for the similarity factor suggests that the
                                                                     study at 40˚C/75% RH for 3 months. Sample was collected
test and reference profiles are identical. Values between 50
                                                                     at every 1 month interval and evaluated for dissolution in
and 100 indicate that the dissolution profiles are similar
                                                                     0.1N HCl, USP- II paddle apparatus, 50rpm. F2 value was
whilst smaller values imply an increase in dissimilarity
                                                                     applied to stability study to show the effect of storage on
between release profiles. 16
                                                                     in-vitro drug release of formulation.17
Accelerated Stability study
RESULT AND DISCUSSION:                                               required quantity of lactose as a diluent, as it is well known
                                                                     fact that the drug release is also dependent on the size and
Drug excipients compatibility study:
                                                                     surface area of matrix tablets.
          From the DSC Study and physical observation it
was concluded that there was no significant Drug-                    In-Vitro Drug release study
Excipient interaction found. There was no change in drug’s
                                                                               The drug release profiles were characterized by
melting peak after the preparation of tablet. So we can
                                                                     an initial burst effect Q2 i.e. initial 30-35% drug release
conclude that drug and other excipients were compatible
                                                                     required in 2 hrs. The biphasic release is often observed
with each other in tablet dosage form.
                                                                     from hydrophilic matrix systems. As the release rate
                                                                     limiting polymer like HPMC changes from a glassy state to
Evaluation of SR Tablets
                                                                     rubbery state, a gel structure is formed around the tablet
                                                                     matrix, which considerably decreases the release rate of
          The prepared tablet formulations as shown in
table.1 were evaluated for different parameters like                 drug since the drug has to diffuse through this gel barrier
hardness, friability, assay, weight variation. Results of            into bulk phase. The strength of the gel depends on the
                                                                     chemical structure and molecular size of the polymer. It is
these parameters were shown in table 2. Hardness of the
prepared tablets was found in range of 6-8 KP. All the               known that higher viscosity grade polymer i.e. HPMC
tablet formulations showed acceptable pharmacotechnical              K100M hydrates at faster rate and therefore, it is capable of
properties and complied with the in-house specifications             forming gel structure quickly than a low viscosity grade
                                                                     HPMC K4M polymer.
for weight variation, drug content, hardness, and friability.
The size and surface area were kept constant by adding
JPRHC        January 2010              Volume 2            Issue 1    75-83
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                                                                                                  Research Article
Table 1. Formula of Factorial batches
                                             Table 1. Formula of Factorial batches
                                                                Ingredients (%w/w)
                                                       MCC      HPMC        HPMC
            Trials                      Lactose                                       Colloidal
                          Itopride                    (Avicel    K4M        K100M                    Magnesium
                                      Anhydrous                                        Silicon                       Total
                            HCl                         PH        DC         DC                       Stearate
                                       (DCL 21)                                       Dioxide
                                                       102)     Grade       Grade
             F01           47.29        20.71         10.00       5.00       15.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
             F02           47.29        15.71         10.00       5.00       20.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
             F03           47.29        10.71         10.00       5.00       25.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
             F04           47.29        18.21         10.00       7.50       15.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
             F05           47.29        13.21         10.00       7.50       20.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
             F06           47.29            8.21      10.00       7.50       25.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
             F07           47.29        15.71         10.00      10.00       15.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
             F08           47.29        10.71         10.00      10.00       20.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
             F09           47.29            5.71      10.00      10.00       25.00         1.00           1.00       100.00
Table 2. Evaluation of tablets of Factorial batches
                                     Table 2. Evaluation of tablets of Factorial batches
         Factorial Batches      Hardness (kP)         Thickness           Friability (%)      Avg. Wt.           Assay (%)
                                                         (mm)                                     (mg)
                F01                   7-8                4.66                 0.045               351.3           99.8
                F02                   7-9                4.47                 0.104               352.1           100.2
                F03                  6.5-8               4.43                 0.128               350.1           100.1
                F04                   7-8                4.57                 0.059               349.9           98.8
                F05                   7-8                4.58                 0.002               350.4           98.7
                F06                   7-9                4.48                 0.029               350.3           99.3
                F07                   7-9                4.41                 0.019               351.2           99.4
                F08                   7-8                4.64                 0.019               350.2           98.4
                F09                   7-8                4.62                 0.052               350.4           99.3
JPRHC       January 2010             Volume 2            Issue 1         75-83
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                                                                                                    Research Article
Table 3 Effect of independent variables on dependent variables by 3 2 full factorial of Itopride HCl Sustained release matrix tablet
        Table 3. Effect of Independent variable on dependent variable by 3 2 full
                 factorial design of Itopride HCl Sustained release matrix tablet
                                         Independent variable                           Dependent variable
                Batch No.
                                           X1               X2            Q2 (%)            Q6 (%)           Q10 (%)
                   F01                      -1               -1            43.2              79.4              94.3
                   F02                      -1               0             40.1              76.9              96.4
                   F03                      -1              +1             38.2              73.5              93.5
                   F04                      0                -1            40.1              75.2              90.4
                   F05                      0                0             37.8              72.0              89.8
                   F06                      0               +1             33.4              69.7              87.4
                   F07                     +1                -1            32.9              67.9              87.8
                   F08                     +1                0             31.0              60.7              85.8
                   F09                     +1               +1             25.1              52.9              75.8
                                                                           Real Value
         Independent Variables
                                                 Low (-1)                       Medium (0)                   High (+1)
            HPMC K4 M (X1)                        5.0%                             7.5 %                      10.0 %
           HPMC K100 M(X2)                        15.0%                            20.0 %                     25.0 %
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                                                                                          Research Article
Fig. 1 Comparative dissolution profile of Factorial batches of F01 to F09 and innovator
Fig. 2 Comparative dissolution profile of Accelerated stability study
JPRHC        January 2010            Volume 2            Issue 1        75-83
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                                                                                                Research Article
The drug release is significantly dependent on the                   Accelerated Stability study
proportion and type of the polymer used. HPMC K4M was                Reproduce large scale batch F06 in blister pack (PVDC –
responsible for initial burst effect and HPMC K100M was              Alu blister packing), was placed for stability study at
used to sustained drug release. Factorial batches formulated         40˚C/75% RH for 3 months. Sample was collected at every
using combination of HPMC K4M and HPMC K100M of                      1 month interval and evaluated for dissolution in 0.1N HCl,
Itopride HCl SR tablet were evaluated for dissolution                USP- II paddle apparatus, 50rpm. f2 value was applied to
study. Data of drug release are graphically represented in           stability study to show the effect of storage on in-vitro drug
figure 1. f2 value of F01 to F09 batches are 50.89, 57.53,           release of formulation. The results of accelerated stability
67.45, 64.87, 75.85, 86.04, 82.81, 74.71, 46.18. F06 batch           studies were shown figure 2.
showing very good similarity to the innovator batch release
                                                                     CONCLUSION
profile. (86.04)
                                                                     Results of present study suggested that Itopride HCl
Effect of Independent variable on dependent variable
                                                                     Sustained release matrix tablet can be successfully
The factorial batches were prepared by using independent             formulated using combination of HPMC K4M (7.5%) and
variable, concentration of HPMC K4M(X1 )and HPMC                     HPMC K100M (25%). F06 Batch of Itopride HCL SR
K100M(X2) and its effect were check on dependent                     tablets were good in terms of tablet physical properties,
variable like Q2, Q6, and Q10.Factorial batches of Itopride          minimum drug excipients incompatibility and nearly
HCl sustained release matrix tablets were evaluated for the          similar drug release profile to that targeted release profile.
in-vitro drug release (table 3), the effect of the individual
polymer and combination of the polymers were studied.
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                                                                                               Research Article
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