Subhashree Sahoo, Chandra Kanti Chakraborti, Pradipta Kumar Behera, Subash Chandra Mishra
Till now very few formulations are available from which the drug is absorbed uniformly so that safe and effective blood level of Norfloxacin could be maintained for a prolonged period. To fulfill this requirement a controlled release mucoadhesive suspension was prepared using mucoadhesive polymers. The chemical interaction between Norfloxacin and different polymers in suspensions has been studied to know their compatibility by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Ultrasonication method was used for the preparation of different formulations, taking Carbopol934, Carbopol940 and Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose polymers. FTIR (400 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1 region) Spectroscopic study was carried out and its spectra were used for interpretation. From the spectral interpretation, it was found that in formulations, the carboxylic groups of Norfloxacin and hydroxyl groups of respective polymers encountered chemical interaction leading to esterification and hydrogen bonding (both intermolecular and polymeric). It may be concluded that Norfloxacin is compatible with three polymers used. Formation of micellies due to esterification and intermolecular hydrogen bonding causes more drug entrapment. In addition, stable suspensions are formed without hampering the C-F bond of the quinolone nucleus, which is responsible for the antibacterial activity of the drug. As a result, stable mucoadhesive suspensions of Norfloxacin could be produced and hence, these polymers may be considered as effective carriers for Norfloxacin.
