FORMULATION AND IN VITRO EVALUVATION OF ERYTHROMYCIN MICROSPHERES

The aim of the present study was to microencapsulate the antibiotic drug (erythromycin) to provide sustained release delivery system. Coarse containing erythromycin as a model drug was prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique using different ratios of drug and polymer (ethyl cellulose). The prepared erythromycin microspheres were subjected to micrometric properties including angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density and particle size determination. The prepared microspheres were subjected to drug loading, In-vitro drug release as well as scanning electron microscopy. The drug loaded microspheres shows 70-85% drug entrapment. In-vitro drug release studies were carried out up to 12-18hours in phosphate buffer (pH-7.4) at 480nm. The drug release from microspheres of 4:6 ratio shows the most constant and prolonged release. The characteristics of the prepared microspheres are conducive to the formulation of sustained release drug delivery system.