Borneol as Sublimable Agent in Floating Matrix Tablet

To avoid unpredictable time to float due to variable pH of the gastric fluid in each subject, sublimation technique is the new interesting approach to prepare non-effervescent floating drug delivery system (FDDS). In this study, a floating matrix tablet using borneol as sublimable agent was developed. The system consists of drug, matrix-forming polymer and sublimable agent. The highly porous and low-density floating matrix tablet was obtained when borneol was sublimated. The floating matrix tablets immediately floated and maintained buoyancy over 8 h. The sublimation of borneol increased with increasing sublimation temperature and incubation time. Increasing amount of sublimable agent exhibited lower density of the floating tablet because of higher porous structure. The results demonstrated that boneol was one of good candidates to be used as sublimable agent for non-effervescent floating tablets. However, physical properties of the matrix floating tablets were needed to be concerned.