Formulation of Methylprednisolone Colon Targeted Tablets

The intent of current investigation is to make colon targeting methylprednisolone compression coated tablets using time dependent polymer hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and pH sensitive polymer Eudragit S100 that retard the liberation of drug in upper gastro intestinal system and also show progressive release in colon. The prepared formulations were optimized using dissolution tests and evaluated for colonic delivery by x-ray imaging and pharmacokinetic studies in healthy humans. The optimized formulation of methylprednisolone showed 10.52±0.68% in the initial lag period of 5 h followed by progressive release up to 101.43±3.33% for 24 h. The x-ray imaging study in human volunteers illustrated that the tablets arrived to colon with no loss of integrity in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Cmax of colon targeted compression coated tablets was 10324.83 ng/ml at Tmax 10 h which clearly indicates the capability of compression coated tablets to give colon targeting.