Scientific Research and Essays Vol. 2 (10), 421-425, October 2007          
ISSN 1992-2248 © 2007 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Properties of cotrimoxazole microparticles prepared with carbopol 941 and exogenous mucin

Attama, A. A. and Onuigbo, E. B.^*

Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: conocerhi@yahoo.com. Tel: +234-42-771237. Fax: +234-42-771237.

Accepted 7 September, 2007

Abstract

In this study, exogenous mucin was combined with Carbopol 941 in the formulation of mucoadhesive microparticles containing cotrimoxazole, a broad-spectrum antibiotic useful in invasive salmonella infection, urinary tract infection, Pneumocystic carinii, norcadiasis, toxoplasmosis, shigellosis and prostatitis. Emulsification technique was employed for the preparations which were thereafter evaluated for mucoadhesion, fluid sorption and percentage drug entrapment. Results obtained showed that complexation of Cabopol 941 with exogenous mucin modified the physical properties of Carbopol 941. The polymer-mucin ratio of 4:1 (Batch D) showed highest mucoadhesion, drug entrapment efficiency and fluid sorption. Batch A (1:1) showed the least sorption of fluid in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.2), simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and distilled water respectively. Batch A formulation containing Carbopol 941 and exogenous mucin in the ratio 1:1 would be better in sustained release delivery of mucoadhesive microparticles containing cotrimoxazole.

Key words: Cabopol 941, exogenous mucin, complexation, microparticle, cotrimoxazole, mucoadhesion, gastrointestinal tract, sustained release.