IN VITRO EVALUATION OF CHEMICALLY DEACETYLATED XANTHAN GUM AS MATRIX POLYMER FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE TABLETS

摘要

The objective of the present investigation is to prepare Deacetylated Xanthan Gum, a new Xanthan Gum based polymer and to evaluate its application in controlled release (CR) and in the design of Simvastatin controlled release tablets. Deacetylated Xanthan Gum polymer was prepared by gelatinization of Xanthan Gum in the presence of sodium hydroxide. Matrix tablets each containing 40 mg of Simvastatin were formulated employing Deacetylated Xanthan Gum polymer in different proportions of drug and polymer and the tablets were evaluated. Simvastatin release from the formulated tablets was slow and spread over 12 hr and depended on percent polymer in the tablet. Release was diffusion controlled and followed zero order kinetics. Non – Fickian diffusion was the drug release mechanism from the formulated tablets. Simvastatin release from matrix tablets F1 formulated employing 37 % Deacetylated Xanthan Gum was found suitable for the design of oral controlled release tablets. Key-words: Deacetylated Xanthan Gum, Controlled release, Simvastatin, Matrix tablets.