SUPERIOR ABSORPTIVE GEL: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR STOMACH-TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) offer an advanced approach to overcoming the limitations of traditional drug delivery methods. These systems target specific areas within the body, delivering drugs directly to the affected site for more effective treatment. Floating Drug Delivery Systems (FDDS) are a type of NDDS designed to remain buoyant in the stomach due to their lower density compared to gastric fluids. This buoyancy allows them to remain in the stomach for a prolonged duration without altering the gastric emptying rate. Gastro-floating hydrogels, with their unique gelling and floating properties, are ideal for such applications. In this study, gastro-floating hydrogels containing Clarithromycin (CM) were formulated using polymers such as Carbopol, HPMC, MCC, and PEG. The hydrogels were evaluated for their floating time in acidic fluid and drug release profiles in acidic conditions. The results demonstrated that the optimal formulation began floating within 0.9 minutes of contact with acidic fluid and exhibited an extended release of CM. The drug release reached nearly 98.5% over 20 hours, highlighting the hydrogel’s effectiveness in prolonged drug delivery.