In situ cross-linked matrix tablets for sustained salbutamol sulfate release - formulation development by statistical optimization.

Background: The use of natural polymers in designing of matrix tablets for sustained-release drug delivery systems has received much attention.
Objectives: The study involves the development and optimization of in situ cross-linked matrix tablets for sustained salbutamol sulfate release.
Material and Methods: In situ cross-linked matrix tablets of salbutamol sulfate were prepared by direct compression and optimized by response surface methodology based on 32 factorial design. The influence on sodium alginate and a calcium salt (calcium carbonate) amounts in salbutamol sulfate matrix tablets on the properties like drug release and hardness of salbutamol sulfate sustained release matrix tablets were analyzed by response surface plots and corresponding contour plots. Drug contents, weight variations, hardness, and in vitro drug release with release kinetic analysis of these newly developed matrix tablets were also investigated.
Results: All these in situ cross-linked salbutamol sulfate matrix tablets showed satisfactory drug contents, weight variations, hardness and prolonged sustained release of salbutamol sulfate over 6 h.
Conclusions: The developed salbutamol sulfate matrix tablets might be beneficial over the conventional tablets to decrease the dosing frequency and enhanced patient compliance.