DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF RITONAVIR HOLLOW MICROBALLOONS FOR FLOATING DRUG DELIVERY

Uroko Robert Ikechukwu; Dingwoke Emeka John Francis; Ambi A A

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v2i2.R3

Uroko Robert Ikechukwu Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Science, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Dingwoke Emeka John Francis Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Ambi A A Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

10.22270/ujpr.v2i2.R3

Keywords:

Hollow microballoons, floating drug delivery, Ritonavir, in vitro drug release, gastro-retentive.

Abstract

Objective: Ritonavir is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor used as the antiretroviral agent. The objective of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate Ritonavir gastro-retentive floating microballoons for controlled release.

Methods: Five batches of microballoons were prepared by the emulsion solvent diffusion method. The resultant microballoons were evaluated for percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, particle size, and in vitro drug release, stability study.

Results: The densities of floating microspheres were found to be less than the density of gastric fluid (1.004 g/cm³). The entrapment efficiency of prepared floating microspheres was satisfactory (68.37 to 88.52%). Among all formulations, FM1 prepared with polymer HPMC was found to be the best as it exhibited highest drug release (89.07%) in 12 hrs and was stable for three months at ambient conditions.

Conclusion: Study concludes that Ritonavir can be delivered in the form of floating hollow microballoons in an efficient way. Based on different evaluation parameters, formulations of batch FM1 were found to an optimum formulation.