Fabrication And Characterization of Verapamil Hydrochloride Loaded Hollow Microspheres

Abstract

The primary objective of the research is to develop hollow microspheres containing verapamil  hydrochloride for the treatment of hypertension. The formulation of verapamil loaded hollow microspheres aims to reduce dosing frequency and enhance the drug's bioavailability by prolonging gastric retention time. Various polymers including ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose K15M, Eudragit RL100, cellulose acetate, Eudragit RS 100, and Eudragit S 100 were utilized, with ethanol and dichloromethane serving as solvents, in the fabrication process of these microspheres.

Verapamil hydrochloride loaded hollow microspheres formulated by using modified quasi emulsion diffusion methods. Preformulation studies like drug excipient compatibility studies, Particle size, particle shape, flow properties were carried out. Invitro buoyancy, Invitro dissolution studies, Entrapment efficiency, Drug content , and stability studies were performed.

Preformulation studies for Verapamil hydrochloride loaded hollow microspheres demonstrated that all formulations exhibit good flow properties. SEM analysis demonstrated that the surface of hollow microspheres was smooth and spherical in shape. FTIR spectra studies displayed that there is no incompatibility between drug and excipients. Optimization of formulations done by maximum amount of drug release within 12h and buoyancy studies. In vitro experiments revealed that the maximum amount of drug was released from hollow Verapamil hydrochloride microspheres prepared from HPMCK15M and Ethyl cellulose in a ratio of 1:3 (F3) showed good sustained release. Therefore, it is considered as the optimal composition. By fitting the In vitro drug release data in to drug  kinetics”, the regression values of Higuchi, first order and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, the optimized formulation (F3) is claimed to release the drug at zero order. Hence the optimized formulation (F3) of Verapamil hydrochloride hollow microspheres shows good potential for novel treatment of hypertension.