Formulation and Characterization of Alginate Microbeads of Clonidine Hydrochloride for the Treatment of Anxiety and Hypertensive Disorder

Abstract

The objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate sodium alginate microbeads with calcium chloride as cross-linking agent for Clonidinehydrochloride by ionotropic gelation method. Clonidine hydrochloride a centrally acting sympatholytic and imidazoline-derivative hypotensiveagent; selective α2-adrenergic agonist. It stimulates alpha2-adrenergic receptors in the brainstem to decrease sympathetic nervous systemoutflow. It is also administered epidurally to treat pain. Microbeads offer numerous advantages for releasing one of the drugs or part of the samedrug immediately while remaining drug or parts of the same can be sustained release. Prepared microbeads were evaluated for particle size,polydispersity index,zeta potential, particle shape, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency and In-vitro drug release. The prepared beadswere free flowing and white in colour. The drug loaded beads showed 72.9±2.4% to 94.6±2.6 % drug entrapment, which was found to increasewith increase in alginate concentration. In vitro drug release study of these microbeads indicated controlled release for Clonidine hydrochloride83.46% release after 48 hours. Hence the observations of all results of the different batches, MBD 11 showed controlled release action and improved drug availability. From this study it could be concluded that the free flowing micro beads of Clonidine hydro chloride could be successfully prepared by ionotropic gelation technique with high entrapment efficiency and prolonged release characteristics.