Development of curcumin floating tablets based on low density foam powder
The floating drug delivery system (FDDS) has become an increasingly attractive system for gastroretentive dosage forms because it can prolong gastric retention time and improve drug bioavailability [1]. Using low-density material of polypropylene foam powder is one of interesting approach for FDDS development. This floating system has initial low density so it can float immediately without lag time.
In this study, curcumin was used as a model drug because it was able to inhibit the in vitro growth of Helicobacter pylori and accelerated the healing of peptic ulcer [2]. Furthermore, curcumin is most stable in acidic condition [3]. The curcumin floating matrix tablets based on low-density foam powder can prolong the presence of curcumin in the stomach for effective treatment of peptic ulcer and avoid its degradation.
The floating matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression. Each tablet contained curcumin, matrix-forming polymers (different grades of HPMC) and polypropylene foam powder (Accurel® MP1004). All ingredients were thoroughly mixed for 10 min and compressed into tablet using a hydraulic press machine (Specac Inc., USA) with 12.7 mm diameter flat-faced tooling at compression forces of 0.5 ton. The results showed that incorporation of polypropylene foam powder higher than 10%w/w into matrix tablet could provide immediate floatation upon contact with the dissolution medium without lag time. Additionally, floating times of all formulations were able to continuously float over 8 hours. Since curcumin released in 0.1 N HCl was very low, 1%w/v SLS was added in the dissolution medium. Drug release of the floating tablets depended on the matrix-forming polymer type. The drug release increased in the rank order of HPMC K100LV > HPMC K4M > HPMC K15M. The faster drug release was observed in the floating tablet with lower viscosity grade of HPMC (especially HPMC K100LV). The curcumin floating matrix tablets with good floating properties with sustained drug release were obtained in our study.