Development of Gelucire 43/01 beads of metformin hydrochloride for floating delivery

The objective of this study was to prepare and characterize beads of Gelucire 43/01 for floating delivery of metformin hydrochloride (MH). The beads were evaluated for particle size, surface morphology, percent drug entrapment, percent yield, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in vitro floating ability, and in vitro drug release. Aging effect on storage was evaluated using hot stage microscopy (HSM), DSC, scanning electron microscopy, and in vitro floating ability. The formed beads were sufficiently hard and spherical in shape. Photomicrographs show that the surface was porous in nature. The average particle diameter of beads was found to be in the size range of 3.85 to 3.95 mm, and percent entrapment was 83.07% to 86.13%. The beads demonstrated favorable in vitro floating ability. The analysis of DSC thermograms revealed no physical interaction between the lipid and the drug in the prepared beads. Prepared formulations showed better controlled release behavior when compared with its conventional dosage form and comparable release profile with marketed sustained release product. HSM photomicrograph showed presence of some unmelted portion even at 43 degrees C and completely melts on 51 degrees C in aged sample. It was found that there was no significant effect on floating ability of aged beads since it remains floats up to 8 h study period. Thus, it is concluded that beads of Gelucire 43/01 could be serve as an effective carrier for highly water-soluble antihyperglycemic drugs like MH for the controlled delivery.