Microcapsules

Targeted drug delivery systems deliver the drug to the site of action. Colon Targeted drug delivery is considered as one of the most convenient pathway for the delivery of the drugs or therapeutic agents and used in the treatment of the local diseases. Microencapsulation is widely used in the pharmaceutical and other sciences to mask taste/odors, prolong release, impart stability to drug molecules, improve bioavailability, and as multiparticulate dosage forms to produce controlled or targeted drug delivery. Microencapsulation is the process in which small droplets or particles of liquid or solid material are surrounded or coated by a continuous film of polymeric materials. Microencapsulation system offers potential advantages over the conventional drug delivery systems. In this present article various technologies for the preparation of microcapsules for the purpose of colon targeted drug delivery systems are reviewed.

  Present research work was focused to enhance bioavailability and reduce the short half life problem of Furosemide by preparation of sustained release microcapsule. Cellulose acetate microcapsules were prepared by co-acervation phase separation technique and phase separation was induced using distilled water. Prepared microcapsules were evaluated for Particle Size Analysis, Flow properties i.e. Angle of Repose Carr’s Index and Hauser’s Ratio, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Coating Wall Thickness, Drug Content and Microencapsulation efficiency, Dissolution studies. All the studies were performed in triplicate and standard deviation was calculated.   Key Words: Furosemide, Microcapsules, co-acervation phase separation technique.