Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan Tablets of Aceclofenac for Colon Targeted Drug Delivery

The present study objective was to develop novel colon specific drug delivery systems for aceclofenac using chitosan as a microbially degradable polymeric carrier and to coat the optimized batches with a pH dependent polymeric coating solution containing Eudragit L 100 and S 100 (1:4). Tablets containing four proportions of chitosan were prepared. The tablets were evaluated for physicochemical properties, drug content, dissolution, water uptake & erosion characteristics, in vitro drug release studies. The amount of aceclofenac released from the chitosan tablets at different time intervals was estimated by UV spectrophotometric method at 275nm. Eudragit coated Chitosan tablets prevented release of the aceclofenac in the physiological environment of stomach and small intestine depending on the proportion of chitosan used in the formulation. The dissolution profile and in vitro release kinetics showed that chitosan tablets were promising for controlled delivery of the drug. The findings of the present study conclusively state that chitosan tablets are promising for colon targeting of aceclofenac to synchronize the chronobiological symptoms for effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.