ABSTRACT

The present investigation was undertaken to fabricate porous controlled release dosage form of metoprolol tartarate using sodium alginate (SA) as a matrix forming agent and ammonium carbonate (AC) as a pore forming agent. This study evaluated a novel approach and newer technique for development of low dosed tablets by direct compression technique. Tablets were evaluated for pharmacotechnical properties and results were found to be satisfactory. Influence of pore forming agent on properties of tablets were mainly investigated. FTIR, DSC were conducted in order to show drug, polymer excipient compatibility. SEM studies were conducted in order to show the porous surface of tablets. Ammonium carbonate as a pore forming agent proves to be promising and was successful in creating pores on surface of tablets through which drug was loaded in tablets. SEM had given a clear picture showing major and minor pore with different pore size. Response Surface Curves (RSC) had been plotted in order to see the effect of pore forming agent on properties of tablets (disintegration, hardness and drug release). It was found that an increase in pore forming agent leads to decrease in hardness and disintegration time of porous tablets. Drug release was found to be drastically affected by concentration of pore forming agent present in respective batches of tablets. In-vitro release data shows that tablets follow zero order release mechanism which was further confirmed by Korsmeyer-Peppas, indicating that more than one mechanism for the drug release are involved, that is diffusion and erosion.