Formulation and evaluation of floating gastroretentive capsules of acyclovir with piperine as a bioenhancer

The aim of the present investigation was to develop and evaluate the sustained release hydrodynamic balanced systems for acyclovir using hydrocolloid polymers such as hydroxy propyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and ethyl cellulose (EC). Floating was achieved by adding an effervescent mixture of sodium bicarbonate and anhydrous citric acid. The best formulation was selected based on in vitro characteristics and further in vivo studies were carried out on Sprague Dawley strain rats to evaluate the bioavailability of the drug. Nearly two times higher Area under the curve (AUC) was observed as compared to the drug solution. In addition, Acyclovir formulation showed the ability to maintain the acyclovir plasma concentration through 24 hr as compared to the drug solution that could maintain this level of drug only for 4 hr.