FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GELUCIRE PELLETS FOR SUSTAINED RELEASE OF IBUPROFEN

The aim of the present study was to develop ibuprofen (IBU) - loaded pellets by melt
solidification technique using Gelucire 50/13 (GL) as a lipid carrier in different concentrations.
This system was intended to prolong the drug release in order to minimize the drug related
adverse effects and improve bioavailability in different gastrointestinal tract conditions. The
prepared pellets were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Infrared
spectroscopy (IR), and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies. Process yield, drug
loading, encapsulation efficiency, and particle size distribution were also investigated. The
effect of agitation speed and amount of GL on pellets properties was evaluated. In-vitro drug
release of ibuprofen from prepared pellets was studied in HCl buffer (pH1.2) for 2 hrs, and in
phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for up to 8 hrs. The obtained pellets were spherical in shape with
smooth surfaces; and GL showed no interaction with the drug. The release of drug from the
pellets showed low percentage of drug release in pH 1.2. However, at pH 7.4 the obtained
results showed that optimum levels of drug were released in a sustained manner.