Gastroretentive drug delivery systems with L-dopa based on carrageenans and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose

A comprehensive study was conducted to investigate the effects of carrageenans, and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) on the properties of hydrodynamically balanced systems (HBS) containing L-dopa as a model drug. The novel integrated approach included measurements of: solvent uptake, erosion, apparent density and changes in the internal structure of dosage forms during dissolution test by means of a USP4 compatible MRI. Differences in water ingress into the matrices with pure carrageenans (ι, κ, λ) or low viscous HPMC, were detected by non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging. Matrices based on carrageenans subjected to rapid hydration and erosion, were not able to maintain satisfactory floating properties for a sufficiently long period of time. The application of carrageenans in mixtures with HMC promoted water uptake by HBS formulations. The effect produced by varying the polymer blend's composition on release of the L-dopa was also studied. Dissolution data was fitted to Korsmeyer-Peppas equation. For matrices containing mixtures of carrageenan and HPMC, the linear increase in the releasing rate constant, K, with the carrageenan content in the matrix was observed.