Formulation and Evaluation of Sustained Release Sodium Alginate Microbeads of Carvedilol

The main aim of the study is to formulate Carvedilol loaded microbeads of sodium alginate using chitosan and HPMC as release modifiers by ionotropic gelation method. The microbeads were prepared by varying the concentration of sodium alginate, HPMC and chitosan. The drug-polymer compatibility was studied by FTIR studies. The prepared microbeads were evaluated for swelling ratio, particle size, drug entrapment, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), bio adhesion study and invitro release study. Particle size distribution of both placebo and drug loaded formulations were measured by an optical microscope and particle size of optimized beads was determined by SEM. No significant drug-polymer interactions were observed in FT-IR studies. Invitro drug release profile of Carvedilol micro beads was examined in pH 1.2 N Hydrochloric acid for first 2 hours followed by phosphate buffer pH 7.4 for remaining time. The in vitro wash-off test indicated that the sodium alginate micro beads had good mucoadhesive properties. The formulated beads had shown higher entrapment efficiency, drug loading, low particle size and moisture content. The formulation F3 released Carvedilol for longer duration (24 hours) and showed better mucoadhesion.