Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Starch Acetate as Rate Controlling Matrix for Controlled Release of Aceclofenac

The objective of the present study is to develop Aceclofenac control release matrix tablet formulations by wet granulation method employing starch citrate, a new modified starch. Starch acetate prepared by reacting potato starch with acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium hydroxide at elevated temperatures was insoluble in water and has poor swelling and gelling property when heated in water. The degree of substitution (DS) of starch acetate was found to be 1.60 and high DS develop hydrophobicity are insoluble acetone and chloroform. In the micromeritic evaluation, the angle of repose and compressibility index values revealed the excellent flow characteristic of starch acetate prepared. All the physical properties studied indicated that starch acetate is a promising pharmaceutical excipient in tablets. Aceclofenac, a widely prescribed anti inflammatory analgesic drug belongs to BCS class II and exhibit variable oral bioavailability due to its poor solubility and dissolution rate. Matrix tablets of Aceclofenac (100 mg) prepared employing starch acetate as matrix former in different proportions gave slow and controlled release more than 12 hr. Aceclofenac release was diffusion controlled and dependent on percentage of starch acetate. As the polymer concentration was increased, release rate was decreased. Good linear relationship was observed between percent polymer and release rate (K₀). Thus drug release from the matrix tablets could be controlled by varying the proportion of drug: polymer in the matrix.