Abstract

The present investigation was aimed to assess the in vivo performance of combined polysaccharides based compression coated tablets for colonic delivery using X-ray study. Fast disintegrating core tablets containing barium sulphate was compression coated with guar gum (GG), locust bean gum (LBG) and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) in the ratio 3:3:4 with a coat weight of 400mg. The developed barium sulphate coated tablet was subjected for in vivo human X-ray study. X-ray study revealed that the tablet remained intact during its transit through upper part of gastrointestinal tract. The colon arrival time was found to be between 5-8 h. The disintegration of the tablet occurred in the colon between 14 to 16 h by the microflora present in the colon. In conclusion, results of X-ray studies revealed that GG and LBG along with HPMC was found to be promising coating materials for targeting drugs specifically to the colon.

Keywords: Colon specific drug delivery system, colon targeting, compression-coat, diclofenac sodium, guar gum, locust bean gum, X-ray imaging and HPMC.