Formulation optimization and evaluation of jackfruit seed starch-alginate mucoadhesive beads of metformin HCl

The present study deals with the formulation optimization of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., family: Moraceae) seed starch (JFSS)-alginate mucoadhesive beads containing metformin HCl through ionotropic gelation using 32 factorial design. The effect of sodium alginate to JFSS ratio and CaCl2 concentration on the drug encapsulation efficiency (DEE, %), and cumulative drug release at 10 h (R10 h, %) was optimized. The optimized beads containing metformin HCl showed DEE of 97.48 ± 3.92%, R10 h of 65.70 ± 2.22%, and mean diameter of 1.16 ± 0.11 mm. The in vitro drug release from these beads was followed controlled-release (zero-order) pattern with super case-II transport mechanism. The beads were also characterized by SEM and FTIR. The swelling and degradation of these beads were influenced by pH of the test medium. The optimized beads also exhibited good mucoadhesivity and significant hypoglycemic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats over prolonged period after oral administration.