Preparation and Pharmacokinetic Characterization of Sustained Release Melatonin Tablet

Aim To prepare the sustained release melatonin tablet with HPMC matrix and study its pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. Methods HPMC was used as matrix to formulate the sustained release tablet. The influences of the size of melatonin, type and amount of HPMC, drug loading, type and amount of additives, and compressing pressure were investigated. Plasma concentration of melatonin in dogs after intravenous injection of two doses and oral administration of sustained release tablets and unmodified release capsules was detected by HPLC using fluorescence detector. Results The drug release from sustained release tablets was influenced by the size of melatonin, type and amount of HPMC, drug loading, and type and amount of additives. Melatonin was found to fit two compartment model after intravenous injection, AUC was proportional to doses, and t 1/2β of two doses has no significant difference. Relative bioavailability of melatonin sustained release tablet to normal capsule was 83 8%, and absolute bioavailability was 3 75% for sustained release tablet and 4 49% for capsule. Conclusion The melatonin sustained release tablet was well formulated. The absolute bioavailability for oral administration of either sustained release tablet or unmodified release capsule of melatonin was less than 5%. The bioavailability of melatonin sustained release tablet was lower than that of unmodified release capsule, but MRT of sustained release tablet was significantly longer than that of capsule.