Ocular inserts of Pilocarpine nitrate (PN) were prepared using modified karaya gum (MKG) alone as release retarding polymer and in combination with the copolymer sodium alginate. Modification of the karaya gum was done by treating it with the trisodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) by cross linking method and evaluated for its physicochemical properties. Films of the MKG were prepared by employing solvent casting method using varying concentrations (600mg, 500mg and 400mg) of MKG and the sandwiching technique was used for the loading of drug. Sodium alginate (SA) and PN blend were prepared by triturating their appropriate amounts. Six ocusert formulations (F1-F6) were prepared with different concentrations of the polymer i.e MKG and SA while the amount of PN was kept constant in formulations. Formulations F1-F3 contained the MKG alone in varying concentrations (600mg, 500mg and 400mg) and F4-F6 contained SA (0.5 mg) in addition to MKG. The surface pH of prepared ocuserts from the formulations (F1-F6) was in the range of 6.63 to 6.8. Thickness range of the ocuserts was from 0.21 to 0.32 mm. Dissolution profiles of prepared ocuserts were studied and drug release was found within the range of 69.2± 1.36 % (F4, minimum) to 90.5± 3.21% (F3, maximum). Overall results of the study concluded that ocuserts fabricated with MKG and SA at optimized concentrations have the potential to sustain the release of PN and therefore reducing dosing frequency and adverse effects.
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