FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF PULSED DRUG DELIVERY OF 5- FLUOROURACIL IN TREATING COLO-RECTAL CANCER

Abstract

The proposed work aimed to develop a time dependent programmable pulsatile drug delivery system of 5-Fluorouracil, intended for chronotherapy in colorectal cancer. Various batches of tablets were prepared by direct compression method using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). These tablets were coated with pH sensitive polymers like Eudragit S-100, cellulose acetate succinate(CAS) and Ethyl Cellulose (EC) at fixed concentration with different coating level (10% & 20%).The prepared tablets were evaluated for lag time and in vitro drug release. FTIR studies revealed that there was no interaction between drug and polymer. Lag time with Eudragit S-100 at (20% coating level) was 5 hrs, Cumulative drug released from the formulation ranged from 91-96% within 8-10 hrs. Drug released followed first order kinetics. The rapid release of the drug after a lag time consistent with requirement for chronotherapeutics was achieved. This approach provides a useful means for pulsatile/programmable release (with single pulse) of 5-Fluorouracil and may be helpful for patients suffering from cancer.