Buoyant in-situ gel

The aim of the present study was to design a buoyant in-situ gel of Alfuzosin HCl for use in management of Benign Prostrate Hyperplasia (BPH). The attempt was made to provide sustain drug release as well as prolong gastric retention thus improving bioavailability of the drug along with the added advantage of liquid oral dosage forms. The devised phase transition systems are to be administered in liquid form and gels in-situ on coming in contact with gastric fluid. Such liquid formulations are devised taking into consideration the geriatric patients who mostly founds difficult to swallow the solid oral dosage forms. Different prototypes were formulated, using Gellan gum, Sodium alginate and combination of both in-situ gelling polymers. HPMC K100M was incorporated as release retarding agent also used as strength forming polymer. Calcium Carbonate imparts buoyancy and also acts as cross-linking agent. Sodium citrate is used for liquefying solution, which act as sequestering agent by forming a complex with calcium carbonate (Ca+2) and thus delays the gelation until the preparation reaches the  acidic environment of stomach. The evaluation was carried out for In Vitro parameters and the results substantiated that the optimized formulation (S4A) revealed excellent floating characteristics and gastric retention. The results of dissolution studies was fitted into five different mathematical models and subjected to regression analysis. The drug release from all formulations was found to follow Zero order kinetics and shows to best fit Peppa’s equations exhibiting fickian diffusion release mechanism.