Abstract

The main aim of the present work was to formulate and evaluate mucoadhesive buccal tablets of Atenolol an anti-hypertensive drug using natural polymers. Buccal mucosa is the preferred site for both systemic and local drug action. The mucosa has a rich blood supply and it relatively permeable. Buccal transmucosal delivery helps to bypass firstpass metabolism by allowing direct access to the systemic circulation through the internal jugular vein. Mucoadhesive polymers are used to improve drug delivery by enhancing the dosage forms contact time and residence time with the mucous membranes. Various natural polymers were be used in mucoadhesive buccal tablets are Xanthan Gum and guar gum. Buccal tablets were evaluated for different parameters such as weight uniformity, content uniformity, thickness, hardness, surface pH, swelling index,ex-vivo mucoadhesive strength, ex-vivo mucoadhesive time and in-vitro drug release. The formulations, F12 which shows an in-vitro drug release of 92.45% in 6h along with satisfactory bioadhesion strength 33 g. The swelling index of atenolol tablets was found to be 43.6 to 69.3.The surface pH of all tablets was found to be satisfactory (6.3±0.6 to7.3±0.4), close to neutral pH, hence buccal cavity irritation should not occur with these tablets. The drug release from optimum batch followed zero order kinetics with non- Fickian diffusion. Drug excipients compatibility study showed no interaction between drug and excipients. So it can be concluded that buccal mucoadhesive tablet is potential way of delivering Atenolol in order to prevent its extensive first pass metabolism and to improve its bioavailability.

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