Formulation of tablets containing glimepiride-loaded mesoporous silica particles

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to develop a tablet formulation with improved dissolution of glimepiride. Glimepiride was loaded into two types of mesoporous silica particles via solvent-incubation method. Physicochemical characterization of the particles was carried out by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and thermogravimetric analysis. Flowability and compressibility characteristics of the powder mixtures, containing pure glimepiride as well as both types of drug-loaded silica particles and excipients were evaluated by bulk and tapped density and angle of repose. Tablets were prepared by direct compression method and consequently tested for hardness, friability, disintegration and in vitro release properties. In vitro release studies demonstrated that the glimepiride dissolution rate was notably improved from tablets prepared with both types mesoporous silica particles as compared with the bulk drug.