Physicochemical Characterization and Dissolution Study of Ibuprofen Compression-Coated Tablets Using Locust Bean Gum

The aim of the present study was to minimize drug release in the upper gastro intestinal tract and target the colon using the principles of compression coating. Compression-coated tablets of ibuprofen were prepared by a direct compression method using locust bean gum (LBG) at 300, 250, 200, and 175 mg. Tablets were evaluated for their physicochemical properties and in vitro drug release. In vitro drug release studies were performed with and without rat caecal contents. In rat caecal contents, tablets showed enhanced drug release due to degradation of the LBG coating by colonic enzymes. The in vitro release studies in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer containing 2% w/v rat caecal contents showed the cumulative percentage release of ibuprofen after 26 h as 39.91 +/- 0.05%, 53.21 +/- 0.37%, 69.17 +/- 0.19%, and 94.46% +/- 0.92%. Coating thickness and the amount of chitosan control the release rate. Formulations were best fitted with Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics, and the mechanism of drug release was non-Fickian super case II transport. FTIR studies reveal there is no drug-polysaccharide interaction. The F-1 formulation is a promising system for drug targeting to the colon.