Abstract
Metformin, a BCS class III drug has low bioavailability because of its low permeability through the gastrointestinal tract. The low permeability is due to its less lipophilicity. The objective of present investigation to enhance the intestinal permeability of metformin by using ionic and non-ionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), TWEEN 80 & SPAN 40. Ionic surfactant acts as better permeation enhancers than non ionic surfactant. The permeation of drug was measured by everted sac technique using chicken intestine. The drug was absorbed through chicken intestine mainly by passive diffusion mechanism. The order of permeation enhancement activity of surfactants is SLS>SDS> TWEEN 80> SPAN 40. Permeation of drug:SLS, 1:0.3 ratio found to be high than compared to other ratios and surfactants. Selected surfactant ratio with other additives compressed into tablets. The pre and post compression parameters like bulk density, angle of repose, hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content, disintegration time and all the parameters were within the acceptable limits. The effective drug permeability (Peff) values selected formulation (FTA3) higher than commercial tablet by using SLS as a permeation enhancer improved the permeability. Therefore, FTA3 formulation was more permeation through the mucous membrane of the chicken intestine.
