Formulation And Evaluation of Oral Microspheres

The objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate oral microspheres of Glipizide to achieve sustained drug release and improve patient compliance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Microspheres offer numerous advantages including controlled drug delivery, reduced dosing frequency, and improved therapeutic efficacy. In this work, Glipizide-loaded microspheres were prepared using the solvent evaporation technique, employing sodium alginate and ethyl cellulose as polymeric carriers. A factorial design was utilized to optimize formulation parameters, including drug-to-polymer ratio and emulsification conditions. The prepared microspheres were characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency, micromeritic properties, and in-vitro drug release. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed uniform, spherical particles with smooth surfaces. FTIR studies confirmed drug-polymer compatibility with no significant interaction. The optimized batch demonstrated high drug entrapment and sustained release of Glipizide over a 12-hour period, following a controlled-release kinetic model. Stability studies conducted under accelerated conditions showed no significant changes in physical appearance, drug content, or release profile. The results suggest that oral microspheres of Glipizide can serve as a potential drug delivery system offering prolonged therapeutic effect and better glycemic control. This study highlights the successful application of microsphere technology in developing effective sustained-release oral formulations.