Preparation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Nicardipine Hydrochloride Microcapsules

Nicardipine Hydrochloride microcapsules with a coat consisting of Cyclohexane and a polymer such as Ethyl cellulose were prepared by Coacervation phase separation induced by temperature change method. By Scanning Electron Microscopy, the microcapsules were found to be spherical, without aggregation, discrete and free flowing. The maximum percentage of drug content was found to be 85.4% in formulation F1 in the drug: polymer ratio (4:1). Entrapment efficiency were found to be in the range of 82% to 106%. The average particle size was found to be in the range of 222 μm to 389μm. Percent of loose drug on surface were found to be in the range of 4.54% to 8.76%. All the formulations showed good flowability. The in-vitro drug release for all the formulations F1 to F9 were found to be 6.9% to 18.4% drug release in first hour and 55.9% to 98.8% drug release at the end of 12 hrs. Among the nine formulations, F7 shows maximum drug release i.e. 98.8% at the end of 12 hrs. All the formulations F1 to F9 were found to be Zero order drug release with Non Fickian diffusion mechanism. The FTIR study indicates that there was no drug interaction and compexation occur during the manufacturing process.