Gastric-specific Drug Delivery With Ph-sensitive in-situ Gels: a Novel Approach to Targeting Oseltamivir Phosphate

Abstract

Oseltamivir phosphate (OP), which with its potential activity competes with new generations on the market, was the most effective influenza molecule. Researchers have created different forms of modified-release dosage for OP in order to address the main physical and chemical limitations and how the drug is metabolized in the body, such as its low solubility, low absorption rate, the short period of effectiveness, and high dosage requirements. This study was aimed at creating a gastro-retentive in-situ gelling system for OP that would enhance its duration of action and bioavailability when taken orally. The formulation was developed using the central composite statistical design approach and consisted of sodium alginate and HPMC K 100 M combined with a pH-sensitive in-situgel using a simple gelation process. The sol-gel system was optimized through characterization methods such as rheology, swelling, and gelling strength. The results showed that a sustainable drug release at 60% for eight hours with a non-fickian diffusion mechanism is achieved. The OP in-situ gel was found to be an efficient drug delivery system that remains buoyant in the gastric fluid and continues to release the drug in the absorption window through an in-vivofloating behavior study. The statistical significance of the trial formulations demonstrated that this dosage form design effectively achieved the desired drug release.