¹Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

²Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom

³Department of Home Science and Management, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

⁴Human and Natural Science Center, ABC Federal University, Santo Andre, Sao Paulo, Brazil

⁵Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

*Corresponding author: Ezegbe Chekwube Andrew, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria & Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Santo Andre, Brazil, Tel: +2348038042802, Email: [email protected]

#Co-corresponding author: Ezegbe Amarachi Grace, Department of Home Science and Management, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria, Tel: +2348061114433, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: July 04, 2024

Published Date: September 20, 2024

Citation: Andrew EC, et al. (2024). Preparation and in Vitro Evaluation of Metronidazole Floating Microspheres. Mathews J Pharma Sci. 8(2):32.

Copyrights: Andrew EC, et al. © (2024).

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Over the years, metronidazole floating microspheres have been used to prolong the gastric residence time after oral administration and in the treatment of certain diseases such as peptic ulcer and other gastrointestinal infections. Aim: Development and in vitro evaluation of metronidazole floating microspheres in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections. Methods: The microspheres were formulated using inotropic gelation method. A homogenous polymer solution was prepared by dissolving sodium alginate (1 g) and the polymers (1 g each) in 32 ml of distilled water. The drug was added to the polymer solution and stirred continuously to form a viscous dispersion. A 10 % w/v quantity of Cacl₂ solution was prepared and used as a cross–linking agent. The dispersion was added drop wise for 15 minutes for the curing reaction to take place. The spheres obtained were then washed and dried at 45 ^oC for 12 hours. Results: The percentage yield of the formulations ranged from 72.50 % ± 1.77 to 84.50 % ± 3.18. The angle of repose ranged from 3.25^o ± 0.04 to 6.85^o ± 0.32, while the bulk density ranged from 0.40 g/ml ± 0.07 to 0.64 g/ml ± 0.01. The Carr’s index ranged from 13.04 % ± 0.04 to 15.04 % ± 0.01. The swelling index ranged from 62.00 % ± 0.71 to 83.50 % ± 0.35 without a significant difference (p < 0.05). The in vitro drug release showed that formulation F-5 gave the least release at 28.75 % ± 0.81 after 4 hours. Conclusion: The formulation F-5 was chosen as the most appropriate formulation from all tested and was optimized.

Keywords: Metronidazole, Microspheres, Gastrointestinal Infection, Gastric Residence Time.