Formulation and characterization of floating microballoons of nizatidine for effective treatment of gastric ulcers in murine model.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to formulate and characterize Nizatidine-encapsulated microballoons for enhancing bioavailability and increasing the residence time of drug in the gastrointestinal tract.
METHODS: Microballoons were prepared using emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit S-100 and HPMC as the polymer. The formulation process was optimized for polymer ratio, drug: polymer ratio, emulsifier concentration, stirring speed, stirring time. Optimized formulation was subjected to scanning electron microscopy, drug entrapment, buoyancy studies, in-vitro drug release and in-vivo floating efficiency (X-ray) study. In-vivo antiulcer activity was assessed by ethanol-induced ulcer in murine model.
RESULTS: The microballoons were smooth and spherical in shape and were porous in nature due to hollow core. A sustained release of drug was observed for 12 h. Examination of the sequential X-ray images taken during the study clearly indicated that the optimized formulation remained buoyant and uniformly distributed in the gastric contents for a period of 12 h. In ethanol-induced ulcer model, drug-loaded Microballoon-treated group showed significant (p < 0.01) ulcer protection index as compared to free drug-treated group.
CONCLUSION: Nizatidine-loaded floating microballoons may serve as a useful drug delivery system for prolonging the gastric residence time and effective treatment of gastric ulcers.