Oral Gastroretentive Film of Lacidipine for the Treatment of Gastroparesis

The research work was aimed to formulate and evaluate gastroretentive mucoadhesive film of calcium channel blocker, Lacidipine for treatment of gastroparesis. Box-Behnken design was used for preparation of optimized formulation using solvent casting method. In this design, different concentrations of mucoadhesive polymers HPMC E15, Eudragit RL100, and Eudragit RS100 were considered as independent variables and its effect on responses like percent drug release, swelling index at 12 h, and folding endurance of the film were examined. Drug and polymer compatibility studies were performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Optimized formulation was evaluated for organoleptic properties, weight variation, thickness, swelling index, folding endurance, drug content, tensile strength, percent elongation, drug release, and percent moisture loss. The results revealed that the film possessed considerable flexibility and smoothness, and in vitro drug release was found to be 95.22% ± 0.93% at the end of 12 h. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of film displayed smooth, uniform, and porous surface texture. The dissolution followed Higuchi's model and Hixson Crowell model displayed non-Fickian drug release mechanism. Furthermore, the film was incorporated in capsule and the presence of capsule showed no effect on the drug release profile. In addition, no change was observed in the appearance, drug content, swelling index, folding endurance, and drug release upon storage at 25°C ± 2°C and 60% ± 5% relative humidity for 3 months. Collectively, the study revealed that gastroretentive mucoadhesive film of Lacidipine could serve as an effective and alternate site-specific targeted delivery in the management of gastroparesis.