Development and Characterization of Ranitidine Hydrochloride Mucoadhesive Hydrogel Beads

Objectives: To formulate mucoadhesive hydrogel beads of Ranitidine hydrochloride for site-specific drug delivery in the stomach. The site-specific delivery was acquired by using mucoadhesive polymers in formulation development. Methods: The best method used for the preparation of mucoadhesive hydrogel beads was the ionic gelation method. For the achievement of mucoadhesive and controlled release properties of the formulation ionic gelation method used by varying concentrations of polymers. Findings: Prefomulation parameters were studied before the development of formulation such as melting point, and FTIR studies. Post-formulation evaluation parameters studied were drug content, invitro mucoadhesion test, swelling index, water uptake studies, SEM analytical studies, and invitro drug release studies. Nine formulations showed good swelling index, water uptake studies, and drug content. The SEM results revealed that beads maintained good surface morphology with a spherical shape. Mucoadherence was in the range of 66% to 77%. The optimized formulation was found with drug release up to 14hrs with 98.9% of drug release. Novelty: Mucoadhesive hydrogel beads of Ranitidine hydrochloride were developed by using primary polymer sodium alginate to acquire mucoadhesive properties and site-specific application. Other secondary polymers such as sodium carboxy methylcellulose, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, and Carbopol contribute to the controlled release of drugs from hydrogel beads. Keywords: Hydrogel beads, Ranitidine HCl, Sodium alginate, Ionotropic gelation, Mucoadhesion