Abstract
Eudragit RL100 films containing piroxicam (4% w/w of polymer) were prepared and investigated as potential drug delivery systems for the controlled release purpose. Effect of different plasticizers such as diethylphthalate, glycerol, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol 400 on the drug release from the medicated films was studied. Moreover, effect of different drug release enhancers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and tween 80 was also investigated. The results provided that all these additives have an enhancement effect on the release rate of piroxicam. In addition, the physicochemical characterization of the systems using powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy was carried out to understand the influence of this technological process on the physical status of the drug and to detect possible interactions between drug and carrier. The analysis indicated that there are no interactions between piroxicam and Eudragit RL100 in either physical mixture or in case of polymer film. The anti-inflammatory activity of the selected formula was assessed by determining the content of the granuloma pouch exudate. The volume of the exudate of the granuloma pouch collected 14 days and 21 days post carrageenan injection was significantly (P<0.01) reduced after treatment with the tested formula.