Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
Objective: Colon targeting would be valuable for delivery of anticancer drugs like capecitabine, a prodrug, which is enzymatically converted to fluorouracil (antimetabolite) in a tumor by thymidine phosphorylase, where it inhibits DNA synthesis, and slows down the growth of tumor tissues of the colon. The major objective of this study was to prepare compression coated tablets by using moringa gum as a carrier based on a microbially triggered mechanism to target colonic cancer; so that adverse effects associated with oral administration of the drugs can be minimized. The most important object in such a dosage form was to target the drug to the colon by providing the minimal amount of the drug release in the physiological environment of the upper GI tract. Methods: The preparation of compressed coated tablets was done using moringa gum and HPMCK100M as the coating material followed by optimization by ANOVA using 32 full factorial design, whereby the weight of total coat on core (X1) and % of MG present in coat (X2) were taken as independent variables, and % drug release in upper GIT (Rel5h) was taken as a response. Prepared tablets were evaluated for in vitro characterizations including hardness, weight variation, friability, drug content, and dissolution study in the presence or absence of 4%w/v rat cecal content and stability. Results: Formulation (C8) of moringa gum: HPMC K100M with 500 mg coat weight containing 50 % of gum was found to be a promising batch because it had restricted the drug release in upper GIT (LT 10 %), and when it reached the colon, there was a complete drug release in the presence of rat cecal content which might get acted upon moringa gum showing its suitability as a colon targeting carrier. The stability study of C8 formulation revealed that there was an insignificant change in the characteristics of tablets after the storage at 400 C for 1 month. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it was found that moringa gum would be an alternative as a carrier for colon in the form of compression coated tablets.
