Biopolymeric microparticles combined with lyophilized monophase dispersions for controlled flutamide release.

Despite its short half-life, no controlled release formula of flutamide (FLT) was prepared until now. Therefore, 15 chitosan microparticle formulations were prepared for oral prolonged delivery of FLT via ionotropic gelation and emulsification-ionic gelation techniques then characterized for various parameters. FLT was successfully encapsulated into microparticles with loading capacity up to 39.98% and entrapment efficiency up to 97.16% using emulsification technique. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that FLT was retained in a crystalline form in the microparticles prepared using ionotropic gelation whereas its crystallinity was significantly reduced using emulsification technique. Relationship between formulation variables and release behavior of FLT was explored. Chitosan microparticles prepared by ionotropic gelation showed a slower FLT release with a T(25%) of 7.9h whereas microparticles prepared by emulsification-ionic gelation under the same conditions showed a quick release profile with a T(25%) of 0.3h. Using 3 different hydrophilic carriers, immediate release FLT dispersions were prepared via lyophilization of monophase solution technique then combined with prolonged release chitosan microparticles to develop 6 controlled release formulae of FLT. A wide range of FLT release profiles were generated providing a prolonged release of drug after a suitable initial burst release.