Design, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of glipizide Eudragit microparticles

Glipizide microparticles made with Eudragit (RS 100 and RL 100), prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique were evaluated for various in-vitro properties viz. encapsulation efficiency, particle size and surface morphology, drug release pattern and in-vivo hypoglycaemic activity. The optimized formulation parameters were used to prepare smooth and spherical microparticles (2-32 mu m) with higher entrapment efficiency (67-89%). Drug release patterns of glipizide microparticles of Eudragit RS 100 and Eudragit RL 100 with drug-to-polymer ratio of 1 : 4 (i.e. EGM14 and ELGM14) have shown gradual and extended release for 24 h with cumulative release of glipizide to the extent of 72.3% and 83.9%, respectively. However, EGM14 showed a significant in-vivo hypoglycaemic effect up to 12 h in rabbits while ELGM14 showed for 9 h. Hence, glipizide microparticles of Eudragit RS 100 (glipizide: polymer 1 : 4) is better suited for oral sustained release formulation.