Preparation and Evaluation of a Novel Wuji Gastric Floating Sustained-Release Pellet

In this study, a novel gastric floating sustained-release pellet was developed and evaluated. The drug-loaded effervescent inner-core was prepared by melt pelletization and retarding gas-entrapped film was coated by air-flow coating. Combination of response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD) based on one factor tests were employed to optimize the inner-core formula. The optimum formulation was 66.5% Glycerol monostearate 40-50 and Stearic alcohol content (7:6, g/g) for the binder, 8.5% calcium carbonate for gas-generating agent,7% hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K100M) for hydrophilic gel material, and 10% weight gain of Eudragit (R) NE30D. The final pellets exhibited ideal floatability and release characteristics. These results indicated that the Wuji gastric floating pellets could be a potential gastro-retentive delivery preparation.