Development and Validation of Spectrophotometric Method for Propranolol Quantification in Capsule Formulation Containing Chitosan as Pharmaceutical Excipient

Abstract The use of chitosan as a diluent in propranolol capsules was evaluated, where its performance was compared with that of microcrystalline cellulose. A spectrophotometric method was validated to quantify propranolol in these capsules, where weight variation, drug content and dissolution were evaluated. The quantification of propranolol was carried out at 290 nm in the range of 32–48 mg/L. The specificity, linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy and robustness of this method were in accordance with regulatory parameters. Propranolol capsules prepared using both diluents exhibited weight variations and drug contents within acceptable limits. The dissolution studies showed that the use of chitosan as a diluent is a promising alternative to capsules for modulation of water soluble drugs release, such as propranolol. The present study reveals an alternative approach of higher functionality of chitosan as a diluent in solid dosage forms when compared to a traditional diluent – microcrystalline cellulose.