Effect of Particle Size of Chitosan on Drug Release from Layered Matrix System Comprising Chitosan and Xanthan Gum

Abstract

Biopolymers such as chitosan and xanthan gum were applied as matrix component for fabrication into tablet using a direct compression technique to control the release of propranolol HCl. Covering both planar surfaces of middle tablet with polymeric mixture containing chitosan-xanthan gum-lactose could modulate the release of propranolol HCl. Increased amount of lactose enhanced the drug release and diminished the pH sensitive drug release of tablet containing chitosan and xanthan gum. However, the drug release from the three layer tablets comprising this system was pH dependent. Particle size of chitosan did not significantly affect the drug release from the three layer tablets comprising this system. The drug release behaviour from the developed tablets was characterized with the curve fitting with different mathematical equations and the water & erosion studies.Key words: chitosan, drug release layered matrix, particle size, xanthan gum