FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF pH SENSITIVE MICROSPHERES OF N-SUCCINYL CHITOSAN FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIVERTICULITIS

The present study involves the preparation and in vitro evaluation of pH sensitive colon targeted microspheres containing ciprofloxacin for the treatment of diverticulitis. They were formulated using N-succinyl chitosan and ciprofloxacin was entrapped by the spray drying method. The prepared microspheres were characterized by FT-IR, DSC and SEM. The microspheres were also evaluated as to particle size, encapsulation efficiency, micromeritic properties, swelling and in vitro drug release. FTIR and DSC studies showed no chemical interaction between the drug and the polymers. SEM photographs showed that the microspheres were roughly spherical in shape and free from cracks. The particle size of optimized microspheres was found to range between 3.45-6.34 mu m. The formulation showed encapsulation of the drug in the range of 80-95.06%. The microsphe respresented good flow properties. Swelling and in vitro drug release studies were carried out and the results found were between 125-298% and 73.52-99%, respectively. It was concluded that the prepared microspheres can be effectively used in the treatment of diverticulitis.