The search for excipients to replace microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in the production of pellets by extrusion-spheronization in cases of drug incompatibility or the lack of pellet matrix disintegration forms the basis of this study. A combination of ?-carrageenan as a spheronization aid, chitosan as a diluent, and Carbopol® 974P as a binder in the production of pellets containing no MCC has been investigated using acetaminophen as a model drug.
This study investigates the extrusion-spheronization performance of some mixtures of co-processed ?-carrageenan and pectin (as excipient), and sodium starch glycolate (as superdisintegrant). Attention is focused with an objective to improve the mechanical stability and the dissolution rate of poorly-soluble domperidone (as a model drug). Initially co-processed ?-carrageenan- pectin excipient is prepared with different ratios of ?-carrageenan and pectin. Different marketed brands of ?-carrageenan (Gelcarin, Aquagel, and Eugel) were employed and dried by solvent evaporation method. Further characterization was carried out by SEM, XRD and FTIR analysis. Pellets were prepared using extrusion-spheronization technique. Pellets were evaluated for flow properties, particle size, sphericity, tensile strength, friability, disintegration time, and in-vitro drug release studies.