Preparation and evaluation of calcium silicate based floating microspheres of amoxicillin

The aim of the present study was to prepare and evaluate floating microspheres consisting of (i) calcium silicate (CS) as porous carrier; (ii) amoxicillin and (iii) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and ethylcellulose (EC) as polymers. The floating microspheres were evaluated for particle size, micromeritic properties, percent drug content, in vitro floating behavior, and in vitro drug release. The percentage yield of floating microspheres of formulations (AM1 to AM9) was found to be in the range of 78.21 ± 1.09 to 93.56 ± 2.79 %. Percentage drug content of formulations (AM1 to AM9) were found in the range of 79.89 ± 2.19 % to 87.74 ± 1.24 %. In Vitro Buoyancy percentage of the microspheres was found to be 98.75±3.62 At pH 1.2, drug release from floating microsphere containing amoxicillin formulation AM4 was found to be 98.87 ± 0.67 % at the end of 12 hr. While at pH 7.4, Formulation AM4 released 99.23 ± 0.94 % of drug at 12 hr respectively. The SEM photographs of formulation AM4 showed that the fabricated microspheres were spherical with a smooth surface and exhibited a range of sizes within each batch. The results suggested that Calcium Silicate is a useful carrier for the development of floating and sustained release preparations.