Development of Chitosan-Maize Starch based Co-processed excipient: As release retardant material

In the present study, co-processed excipients from chitosan, and maize starch were prepared by co-dispersion, and co-granulation methods in 1:1 ratio. The resultant products were then characterized physically by their micrometric properties and hygroscopic characters. The co-processed excipient prepared by co-granulation was chosen and was added to a directly compressible oral sustained-release tablet (Batch F1-F4) containing ibuprofen as a model drug. A well-known marketed ibuprofen tablet (Motrin) was taken for comparison purposes of the dissolution characteristics. Pre-compression parameters, as well as post-compression parameters of all the batches, were performed. The pre-compression parameters, and post-compression parameters of F3, containing chitosan to maize in the ratio of 2:1, were found to be comparable with the marketed product. F3 batch showed 74.7 % of drug release up to 8 h, which reflect the release retardant properties of co-processed excipient. Collectively, co-processed excipients of chitosan, and maize starch improve the physical properties of individual materials, and can be used as a directly compressible excipient as a release retardant material for oral sustained-release tablets.