DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF BUCCAL MUCOADHESIVE TABLETS OF METOPROLOL TARTARATE BY USING NATURAL POLYMERS

In the present work, the mucoadhesive tablets of Metoprolol tartaratewere formulated by usingnatural polymers as a binder. Buccal mucosa targeted core-in-cup tablets were prepared in two steps. Core tablets were prepared by wet granulation technique and cup tablets were prepared  by direct compression technique . In the present study, natural polymers such as Moringa oleifera gum and  Almond gum were selected for the preparation of Metoprolol Tartrate buccal tablets. Tabletswere subjected for evaluation of uniformity of weight, hardness, friability, drug content uniformity,swelling behavior, release rate study, mucoadhesive study, and tensile strength study. The release rate followed zero order release kineticsand log percentage of drug release versus log time curves shows linearity and proves that all the formulations followed Peppas mechanism.It was found that an increase in concentration of polymer increases the ex vivo Mucoadhesive residence time.As the viscosity gum increases swelling increases and mucoadhesion force depends on the swelling of the gumThe present study revealed that Moringa oleifera gum appears to be suitable for use as a releaseretardant in the manufacture of buccal tablets because of its good swelling, goodflow rate and suitability for mucoadhesion formulations.

Key words: Metoprolol tartarate, Moringa oleifera gum,  Almond gum, mucoadhesion