Development and Evaluation of Sustained Release Microspheres of Glibenclamide by Emulsion Solvent Evaporation Method

Oral administration of Glibenclamide appears to lower the blood glucose acutely by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas. Gastro intestinal absorption of Glibenclamide in man is uniform, rapid and essentially complete having peak plasma concentration 1-3 hours after single oral dose and half-life of elimination three hours in normal subjects. The objective of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate microspheres of Glibenclamide by emulsion – solvent evaporation method. Microspheres were prepared using Ethyl Cellulose N100 and characterized for their micromeritic properties, particle size and encapsulation efficiency. The in-vitro release studies were performed using pH 1.2 (0.1N HCL) buffer revealed that the drug release was sustained up to 24 hours. SEM studies showed that the microspheres were spherical and porous in nature. In-vivo studies were performed in healthy rabbits to analyze the floating efficiency of microspheres. Microspheres of glibenclamide were prepared successfully and could help to manage better the complications involved in Type II diabetes.