Stability, bioavailability, and ulcerative activity of diclofenac sodium-mastic controlled release tablets.

Controlled release tablets containing 50 mg diclofenac sodium (DS) and 40% mastic with other natural additives were prepared. Drug release was examined and stability was studied using non-isothermal and isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The bioavailability of two controlled release tablet formulations was studied and compared to that of commercial tablets, and rabbit stomachs were also histologically examined 24 h after administration of the various tablets. Additives of pectin and sodium alginate indicated the controlled release profile of the drug. Non-isothermal TG revealed two stages of thermal decomposition for all formulations. Isothermal TG revealed that degradation of the drug in the tablet formulations follows first-order kinetics. The obtained degradation rate constants at various temperatures were plotted according to the Arrhenius equation. The degradation rate constant at 25°C was determined and used in estimation of shelf life. The obtained shelf lives of all formulations ranged from 3.38-4.92 years. In comparative studies with commercial tablets, the bioavailability of the drug from the two formulated tablets had no statistically significant difference in terms of the AUC and produced prolonged blood levels of DS with a delayed peak. The two controlled release tablet formulations resulted in no histological alterations in the stomach in terms of mucous surface cells and glands; in comparison, commercial tablets resulted in a disrupted mucous layer, necrotic ulcerations, hemorrhaging, and inflammatory cell infiltration along the base of the gastric glands.