Formulation and Evaluation of Sustained Release Matrix Tablets of Aceclofenac

The purpose of present study is development and evaluation of sustained release tablets of Aceclofenac, which is anti-inflammatory, analgesic in nature and used in symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Aceclofenac is selected as an ideal candidate for sustained release drug delivery system because it has short biological half-life (3- 4 hours) and dosing frequency of more than one per day. SR tablets of Aceclofenac reduce its frequency of administration and improved patient compliance. First the pre-formulation studies of drug were conducted and partition coefficient, absorption maxima and standard curve, Angle of Repose, Bulk Density, Tapped Density, Carr’s Index and Hausner Ratio were calculated. The compatibility testing between drug and excipients of matrix tablets was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Matrix tablets were prepared by direct mixing of Aceclofenac and excipients like HPMC K 4M, HPMC E15 and Guar Gum as release retarding polymers in varying concentration of 40mg, 60mg and 80mg..Later the punched tablets were subjected to various evaluation tests. Further, obtained dissolution results were subjected to kinetic study i.e Zero order, First order, Higuchi plot and Korsemeyer- Peppas plot. Among all formulations, formulation F4 was selected as the best formulation as it was best fitted in Higuchi Model with highest regression coefficient, Korsemeyer-Peppas Model with highest regression coefficient and diffusion exponent.