Wet Process Induced Phase Transited Drug Delivery System as a Means for Delivery of Gastrointestinal Irritant Drug: Histomorphological Analysis

Abstract

A non-disintegrating, asymmetric membrane capsular system for a poorly water soluble drug, flurbiprofen, was developed and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Asymmetric membrane capsules were made by phase inversion. The effect of varying osmotic pressure of the dissolution medium on drug release was studied. Acute toxicity studies and histomorphological analysis were conducted in rats. Scanning electron microscopy showed an outer dense region with few pores and an inner porous region on the prepared asymmetric membrane. Statistical tests on in vitro release studies were applied at p>0.05. The drug release was found to be independent of the pH but dependent on the osmotic pressure of the dissolution medium. The results of in vivo toxicity studies may support the use of phase transited asymmetric membrane capsules as a means for delivery of gastro-intestinal irritant drugs in a controlled manner through Fickian diffusion.