Formulation, Development & Characterization of Ofloxacin Microspheres

Abstract

Ofloxacin is anti bacterial agent that has a wide range of activity against gram (-ve) and gram (+ve) microorganisms. Multiple doses of Ofloxacin are required to attain steady state concentration. The main objective of this study was to formulate, develop and characterize Ofloxacin microspheres to prolong the release rate so as to decrease the necessity of multiple dosings especially in patients with renal impairment. The Ofloxacin microspheres were prepared using natural polymers by non-ionic crosslinking technique. Five different formulations were prepared with respective quantities of the polymer (Chitosan) with copolymer (Gelatin and sodium alginate) with drug in different drug-polymer ratio of 1:0.5, 1:0.75 and 1:1. The prepared microspheres were evaluated for percentage drug loading, entrapment efficiency, surface morphology, and in-vitro release characteristics to identify the effect of addition of these polymers.Cumulative release data were fitted into kinetic models.The Scanning Electron Microscope analysis revealed a smooth and spherical surface morphology with mean particle size of the microspheres ranging from 7 to 14 μm. The drug-loaded microspheres of F5 showed 80-90% of entrapment efficiency and the drug release was found to be 94.32%. Drug loading was found to increase with the increase in the concentration of encapsulating polymer, chitosan, sodium alginate and gelatin concentration. Drug release obeyed the first order kinetics. The Ofloxacin microspheres stability study was observed for a month with periodical intervals with 93% of drug content and no observable changes. © 2011 IGJPS. All rights reserved.