Formulation and evaluation of Zidovudine alginate microspheres

The objective of the  present  study  was  to  prepare  and  evaluate  microspheres  for  the controlled release of Zidovudine from the prepared microspheres using different polymers. The microspheres were prepared by ionic gelation method. The prepared microspheres were characterized for FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the percentage drug content, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro dissolution studies. Accelerated stability studies were also carried out for the formulations. The microspheres were spherical in shape and free flowing. The entrapment efficiency was varying from 76 to 86%. The release of drug  from  the  microspheres was extended up to  8  to  12  hours. FTIR studies showed the stable character of Zidovudine in the microspheres. SEM studies revealed that the microspheres were  porous  in  nature.  The release kinetics studies revealed that the prepared microspheres were best  fitted  to  the  zero  order for all eight formulations and peppa’s model. The release kinetics data and characterization studies indicated that the drug release from microspheres was diffusion – controlled and the microspheres were stable in nature. Keywords: Zidovudine, microspheres, controlled release, stability, ionic gelation, entrapment efficiency.