Buccal patches of salbutamol sulfate were prepared using five different water soluble polymers in various proportions and combinations using PEG-400/PG as plasticizers. A 32 full factorial design was used to design the experiments for each polymer combination. Patches were laminated on one side with a water impermeable backing layer for unidirectional drug release. The thickness of medicated patches ranged between 0.2 and 0.4 mm and showed an increase in mass whenever PEG-400 was used as plasticizer. The surface pH of all patches approached neutral. Eight formulations which had shown high folding endurance (> 300) were selected for evaluation. Patches prepared with PEG-400 showed a high swelling index. The residence time of the tested patches ranged between 105 and 130 min. Formulations A10, A32, B10 and B32 fitted the Higuchi model best, whereas formulations A19 and B19 showed super case II transport drug release. Stability studies indicated that there was no change in the chemical and physical characteristics during the test period of 6 months.

Mucoadhesive buccal patches of Salbutamol Sulphate were prepared using five different polymers (polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP]), polyvinyl alcohol [PVA], water soluble chitosan [CH(WS)], acid soluble chitosan [CH(AS)], hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose [HPMC])in various proportions and combinations (CH(WS)/PVP/HPMC, CH(WS)/PVA/HPMC, CH(AS)/PVP/HPMC, and CH(AS)/PVA/HPMC). A 3(2) full factorial design was used to design the experiments. A total of 72 patches were prepared. Thickness of the patches ranged between 0.3±0.003 and 0.6±0.009 mm. Mass of the patches were in the range of 68.12±4.6 to 95.02±7.2 mg. Patches showed increased mass whenever PEG -400 was used as plasticizer. The surface pH of patches were acidic to neutral (pH 4-pH 7). Patches showed satisfactory drug loading efficiency (85%to 97%). Eight formulations(C9, C18, C27, C36, D9, D18, D27, and D36)-which showed high folding endurance- were selected for further characterization. Patches with PEG -400 showed higher swelling index when compared to PG. The residence time of the patches ranged between 115 min and 120 min. Formulation C18 showed the maximum in vitro drug release of 101.4 % over a period of 120 min. Formulations D36 and C36 were best fitted to Higuchi model. The remaining formulations were best fitted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Drug permeation was fast and showed the similar profile as that of the in vitro drug release. Patches were stable, during and at the end of the accelerated stability study.

In the field of modified release, this review covers the detail aspect of a novel pulsatile drug delivery systems (PDDS) by oral administration that aims to release drugs on a programmed pattern at specific time and specific site as per the pathophysiological need of the disease, resulting in improved patient therapeutic efficacy and compliance. In particular, the recent literature reports on a variety of pulsatile release systems intended for the oral route, which have been recognised as potentially beneficial to the chronotherapy of widespread diseases. Asthma, peptic or deodenal ulcer, diabetes, neurological disorder, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, attention deficit syndrome in children, and hypercholesterolemia these kind of diseases are promising by pulsatile drug delivery. Technically, This system is designed for chronopharmacotherapy which is based on circadian rhythm and beneficial for the drugs having chronopharmacological behavior where night time dosing is required and for the drugs having high first-pass effect and specific site of absorption in gastrointestinal tract. This controlled-release system can maintain the drug concentration within the therapeutic window with a single dose, which lowers the systemic drug level and also preserves medication that rapidly destroyed by the body. Pulsatile drug delivery system is time related or site-specific related to drug released at the desired site within the intestinal tract (e.g., the colon). Pulsatile drug delivery systems are formulated when zero order drug release is not desired. Based on these premises, the aim of this review is to outline the rational and prominent design strategies behind oral pulsatile delivery. Capsular systems, osmotic systems, soluble or erodible polymer coating and rupturable membranes etc. are summarized in this pulse article. Various marketed technologies on pulsatile drug delivery like OROS, PULSINCAP, GEOCLOCK, SODAS, CODAS, etc., were launched by pharmaceutical companies.

The objective of this work was to prepare and evaluate ketoprofen-loaded albumin microspheres for intramuscular administration. Microspheres were prepared by emulsion cross-linking method using a 2(3) factorial design and the effect of different factors on entrapment efficiency was determined. Microspheres were evaluated for entrapment efficiency, percentage yield, particle size and release behaviour. Selected formulations were then tested by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Further they were analysed for residual solvents, syringeability and stability. Microspheres were then sterilized and bioavailability studies were carried out in New Zealand white rabbits. The physical characteristics of microspheres showed that they were suitable for IM administration. The sterilization technique adopted was adequate to maintain sterility. In vivo studies showed increase in C(max), AUC, t(1/2) and MRT (p < 0.05) administered in the form of microspheres. MRT of ketoprofen was almost 3.2-times in the form of microspheres. From these results it was concluded that the developed albumin microspheres of ketoprofen is a potential delivery system for once-a-day intramuscular administration.

In the clinical management of arthritis, the choice of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) remains confusing and controversial. A common practice on the choice of NSAID in clinical management of arthritis is the risk benefit ratio. The main objective of this review is to addresses the main arguments for the pharmacological and clinical use of COX-2 inhibitors in relation to nonselective NSAIDs for the clinical management of arthritis. This review concluded that, both NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors are equally effective and are associated with increased risk of GI, renal, and CV, adverse effects. Complete understanding of the patient's comorbid conditions and concomitant medications, coupled with precise monitoring during the treatment, may help to decrease the threat of adverse effects induced by nonselective NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors.