Comparative evaluation of plastic, hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers as matrices for controlled-release drug delivery.

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of plastic, hydrophilic and hydrophobic types of polymers and their content level on the release profile of drug from matrix systems. As the physico-chemical nature of the active ingredients influence the drug retarding ability of these polymers, three different drugs were used to evaluate their comparative release characteristics in similar matrices. Methods: Matrix tablets of theophylline, diclofenac sodium and diltiazem HCl using Kollidon SR, Carnauba wax and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC-15cps) were prepared separately by direct compression process. The USP Basket method was selected to perform the dissolution test carried out in 250 ml 0.1N HCl for first two hours and 1000 ml phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 for ten hours. Results: Statistically significant differences were found among the drug release profile from different classes of polymeric matrices. The release kinetics was found to be governed by the type and content of polymer in the matrix system. Higher polymeric content (75%) in the matrix decreased the release rate of drug because of increased tortuosity and decreased porosity. At lower polymeric level (25%), the rate and extent of drug release was elevated. Carnauba wax was found to cause the strongest retardation of drug. On the other hand, highest drug release was from HPMC matrices while Kollidon SR gave an intermediate release profile between these two polymers. Release rate was also found to be the function of physico-chemical nature of drug molecule. Theophylline and diltiazem HCl, being soluble in nature, released faster than diclofenac sodium from all matrix systems. The release mechanism was explored and explained with biexponential equation. Release profile showed a tendency to follow zero-order kinetics from HPMC matrix systems whereas Fickian (Case I) transport was predominant mechanism of drug release from Kollidon SR matrix system. The mean dissolution time (MDT) was calculated for all the formulations and the highest MDT value was obtained with Carnauba wax for all the drugs under investigation. Conclusions: The results generated in this study showed that the profile and kinetics of drug release were functions of polymer type, polymer level and physicochemical nature of drug. A controlled plasma level profile of drug can be obtained by judicious combination of polymers and modulation of polymer content in the matrix system.