Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablets of Atorvastatin Calcium

The objective of present study is to prepare buccoadhesive buccal tablets of Atorvastatin calcium (AVC-8mg) using the bioadhesive polymers Carbopol 974P (CP), Guar Gum, and Gum Ghatti as matrix forming agent and Ethyl cellulose (EC-25mg) as impermeable backing layer.The solubility studies were conducted along with PEG 4000 in different medias.Twelve formulations of mucoadhesive buccal tablets of AVC were prepared, which contain the polymers in various combinations.Tablets were prepared by direct compression method and characterized for swelling studies, % matrix erosion, surface pH, bioadhesive properties, in-vitro drug dissolution and in-vitro diffusion studies.All the formulations shows the satisfactory results in terms of bioadhesive performance.The swelling index was proportional to polymer content.The surface pH of all tablets was found to be satisfactory, close to neutral pH; the AVC released and drug diffusion from these tablets was depended on the ratio and type of the natural polymers used in the formulation.Tablets containing CP (10%) and Guar Gum, HPMCK4M and Gum Ghatti in the ratio of 1:3 (F3, F7 and F8) shows near zero order kinetics release, with non-Fickians diffusion and followed anomalous release.The ex vivo permeation concluded that PEG 4000 enhanced the permeability of AVC from the tablets.FT-IR studies revealed that there is no interaction between drug and polymer used in the study.