Development and pharmacokinetic evaluation of alginate-pectin polymeric rafts forming tablets using box behnken design.

Raft is an emerging drug delivery system, which is suitable for controlled release drug delivery and targeting. The present study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of raft, in vitro release of pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate and conduct bioavailability studies. Box behnken design was used with three independent and dependent variables. Independent variables were sodium alginate (X ₁ ), pectin (X ₂ ) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose K100M (X ₃ ) while dependent variables were percentage drug release at 2 (Y ₂ ), 4 (Y ₄ ) and 8 h (Y ₈ ). The developed rafts were evaluated by their physical and chemical properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used to study the chemical interaction and thermal behaviour of drug with polymers. Alginate and pectin contents of R9 formulation were 99.28% and 97.29%, respectively, and acid neutralization capacity was 8.0. R9 formulation showed longer duration of neutralization and nature of raft was absorbent. The raft of R9 formulation showed 98.94% release of PSS at 8 h in simulated gastric fluid. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed no chemical interaction and differential scanning calorimetry indicated endothermic peaks at 250 °C for pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate. t _max for the test and reference formulations were 8 ± 2.345 h and 8 ± 2.305 h, respectively. C _max of test and reference formulations were 46.026 ± 0.567 µg/mL and 43.026 ± 0.567 µg/mL, respectively. AUC _(0-t) of the test and reference formulations were 472.115 ± 3.467 µg × h/mL and 456.105 ± 2.017 µg × h/mL, respectively. Raft forming system successfully delivered the drug in controlled manner and improved the bioavailability of drugs.