A New Drug Delivery System Using Plasma-Irradiated Polysaccharide

Abstract

We attempted to control the drug release from a double-compressed tablet containing theophylline core with outer layer consisted of HPMCAS-myo-Inositol and HPMCP-Lactose by plasma-irradiation. By use of difference in degradation properties of organic compounds, the oxygen plasma- irradiation varied outer layer so as to cause release of drugs at different rates, depending on conditions chosen for plasma operation. From the SEM analyses, it was concluded that concurrent occurrence of cross-link reaction and the micropores formation on outer layer converted rapid-release system into sustained-release system. As described, it was shown that new examples that cellulose derivatives widely used as pharmaceutical aids would be also applied to a outer layer polymer of the double-compressed tablet to fabricate a system for targeted release of various kinds of drugs in the lower sections of the small or large intestine by making use of plasma techniques.