Effectiveness of co-processed <i>Zea mays</i> husk cellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose as a suspending agent in indomethacin dry syrup

Abstract

The objective of this investigation is to formulate reconstitutable indomethacin oral suspension as indomethacin dry syrup with co-processed composite of Zea mays husk cellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose for evaluation in indomethacin delivery. Pre-formulation studies were carried out on the Zea mays husk cellulose. Compatibility studies were carried out for the Zea mays husk cellulose and indomethacin. Dry syrup was formulated with composites of Avicel CE 15, Avicel HF E-102, Zea mays husk cellulose, and starch respectively in sodium carboxymethylcellulose. The dry syrups were reconstituted to suspension, and evaluated. The pre-formulation properties were within limits. FTIR result of Zea mays husk cellulose showed purity of cellulose. FTIR spectroscopy of Zea mays husk cellulose and indomethacin showed no interaction of cellulose with indomethacin. The release of indomethacin from reconstituted suspensions followed apparent (pseudo) first order kinetics, indicative of no reservoir entrapment, complexation, nor encapsulation of the active drug. With re-dispersion number of 3.47± 0.47, the re-dispersion of the reconstituted suspension, and other rheological properties were significantly (p < 0.5) improved by the Zea mays husk cellulose - sodium carboxymethylcellulose composite. It was found that Zea mays husk cellulose - sodium carboxymethylcellulose composite can substitute the standard suspending agent in formulation of reconstitutable indomethacin suspension based on its improved rheological, suspending and thixotropic properties.