Abstract
Cellulose propionate (CP) microparticles containing captopril (CAP) were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. The effects of polymer molecular weight, polymer composition and drug:polymer ratios on the particle size, flow properties, morphology, surface properties and release characteristics of the prepared captopril microparticles were examined. The anti-hypertensive effect of the selected CAP formulation in comparison with aqueous drug solution was also evaluated in vivo using hypertensive rats. The formulation containing drug:polymer blend ratio 1:1.5 (1:1 low:high molecular weight CP), namely F7, was chosen as the selected formulation with regard to the encapsulation efficiency (75.1%), flow properties (theta=24 degrees, Carr index=5%, Hausner ratio=1.1, packing rate=0.535) and release characteristics. Initial burst effect was observed in the release profile of all examined formulations. DSC and SEM results indicated that the initial burst effect could be attributed to dissolution of CAP crystals present on the surface or embedded in the superficial layer of the matrix. The release kinetics of CAP from most microparticle formulations followed diffusion mechanism. After oral administration of the selected microparticle formulation (F7) to hypertensive rats, systolic blood pressure decreased gradually over 24 h compared to reference drug solution. These results may suggest the potential application of cellulose propionate microparticles as a suitable sustained release drug delivery system for captopril.