Formulation and Evaluation of Floating In-Situ Gel of Methotrexate

The aim of the study was to prepare and evaluate floating in-situ gel of methotrexate to increase the gastric residence time resulting in sustained drug release in gastrointestinal tract. Methotrexate is anticancer drug. It shows the undesirable side effect due to their fast release in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Floating in situ gel was prepared by using in-situ gel forming polymers like sodium alginate and pectin. Drug-excipients compatibility was carried out by FT-IR study. A 3level 2factor full factorial design was applied to investigate the combined effect of sodium alginate concentration (X1) and calcium carbonate concentration (X2). Floating In situ gels were evaluated for floating lag time, % drug release at 1 hr and % drug release at 12 hrs. In addition to the above, floating in situ gels were also evaluated for, pH, Viscosity, gelling capacity, floating time, drug content. All formulation gave the satisfactory result in terms of floating lag time, % drug release at 1 hr, and 12 hrs. Drug release was depended on the concentration of the polymer and calcium carbonate used in formulation.