ABSTRACT
Indomethacin-loaded microspheres of ethylcellulose were prepared by the emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of process variation in polymer type via viscosity grades of ethylcellulose N10 and N100, drug to polymer ratio, stirring rate of the propeller and surfactant type on the micromeritic properties of microspheres such as particle size distribution, bulk and tapped density, surface topography, tangent of angle of repose, compressibility index, Hausner ratio and flow rates. All microspheres presented a narrow particle size distribution and good flow characters according to USP 28-NF 23 criteria, besides microspheres were more spherical in shape in their manufacture with ethylcellulose N100 and higher ratio of both polymers. Thus, in the case of ethylcellulose, the viscosity and ratio of the polymer in dispersion medium were found to be the controlling factors of drug release. Ethylcellulose N10 and N100 membrane materials indicated difference in release patterns of microspheres. Microspheres exhibited lower burst effect with decreased drug release rate, when the drug was incorporated with ethylcellulose N100 and higher ratio of each polymer. Therefore, indomethacin release from ethylcellulose microspheres could not be evaluated by any of the kinetic models.