Abstract

The objective of the present research is to develop glipizide spherical agglomerates with improved solubility, flow and compression characteristics by novel crystallization technique. Glipizide was dissolved in 30ml dichloromethane (good solvent) and stirred. 100ml of water (poor solvent) was added and continued stirring. 5ml of chloroform (bridging liquid) was added and stirred at 1000rpm for 40 minutes to precipitate glipizide. Agglomeration process was optimized for parameters like speed and duration of agitation, volume of bridging liquid added. The precipitated particles were filtered and dried at 40°C. Spherical agglomerates were characterized by IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, DSC and SEM and its results revealed that there is no physical or chemical interaction existed in agglomerates. Spherical agglomerates exhibited decreased crystallinity and improved micromeritic properties (bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index, angle of repose). The obtained agglomerates of glipizide were spherical and dissolution rates were faster and exhibited improved solubility, dissolution rate and micromeritic properties than pure drug. Direct compressible tablets of the glipizide agglomerates showed hardness, friability and weight variation appropriately with improved drug release. Among the different control release polymers Caesalpinia spinosa(natural mucoadhesive polymer) was showing highest drug release retarding capacity. F2 was showing the satisfactory results and having better sustainability. When we plot the release rate kinetics for best formulation f2 was following zero order because correlation coefficient value of zero order is more than first order value. F2 formulation diffusion exponent n value is 0.45< n >0.89 so they are following Anomalous (Non- Fickian) diffusion. It indicates that the prepared spherical agglomerates gives good yield when compared to that of the pure drug.