Preliminary evaluation of glipizide spheres and compacts from spheres prepared by cross-linking technique

The objective of this research was to use the natural polymer Carrageenan to obtain controlled release spheres loaded with glipizide using the cross-linking technique. The effect of polymer level and drug load were investigated. The drug was dispersed in Carrageenan solution and the dispersion was dropped by a device containing 3 disposable syringes into cross-linking solution containing 3% calcium chloride. After 15 minutes residence time, the spheres were collected by decantation and dried in hot air oven at 38 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C for 24 hours. The dried spheres were successfully compacted into tablets using rotary Manesty B-3B machine equipped with 12/32 inches round flat face punches, target tablet weight was 400 mg +/- 5%. As the polymer level was increased in the sphere formulation, the drug release rate was increased. However, as the drug level was increased in the sphere formulation, the release rate was decreased. This trend was also true for tablets compacted from spheres. The scanning electron microscope photographs supported the dissolution data. More cracks and rough surface were observed in tablets compacted from spheres containing high polymer level and low drug level.