International Journal of Pharmaceutics 305 (2005) 22–30 Statistical optimization of indomethacin pellets coated with pH-dependent methacrylic polymers for possible colonic drug delivery A. Akhgari a,∗ , H. Afrasiabi Garekani a , F. Sadeghi a , M. Azimaie b a School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran b Faculty of Basic Sciences, Statistics Department, Azad University, Mashhad, Iran Received 22 November 2004; received in revised form 13 May 2005; accepted 17 August 2005 Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two factors (ratio of Eudragit S100 and Eudragit L100 and the coating level) on indomethacin release from pellets in order to optimize coating formulations for colonic delivery. Coating formulations were designed based on the full factorial design. Two independent variables were the ratio of Eudragit S100:Eudragit L100 (1:4, 1:1 and 1:0) and the level of coating (10%, 15% and 20%, w/w), respectively. The evaluated responses were lag time prior to drug release at pH 6.8 (the time required for drug release up to 2%) and percent of drug release at pH 6.8 in 5 h. Polymers were coated onto the pellets containing 20% (w/w) indomethacin, using a fluidized bed coating apparatus. Dissolution test was carried out in media with different pH (1.2, 6.5, 6.8 and 7.2). The dissolution data revealed that the level of coating and the ratio of polymers are very important to achieve optimum formulation. Using responses and resulted statistical equations, optimum formulation consisted of Eudragit S100:L100 in 4:1 ratio and the level of coating (20%) was predicted. Practical results showed that the pellets prepared according to above formulation released no indomethacin at pH 1.2 (simulating stomach pH) and pH 6.5 (simulating proximal part of small intestine pH); drug release was slowly at pH 6.8 (simulating lower part of small intestine pH), but it was fast at pH 7.2 (simulating terminal ileum pH). The results of this study revealed that factorial design is a suitable tool for optimization of coating formulations to achieve colon delivery. It was shown that coating formulation consisted of Eudragit S100:Eudragit L100 in 4:1 ratio at 20% coating level has potential for colonic delivery of indomethacin loaded pellets. The optimized formulation produced dissolution profiles that were close to predicted values. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Colonic delivery; Eudragit; Statistical optimization; Factorial design; Indomethacin ∗ Corresponding author. Present address: School of Pharmacy, Academic Center, Vakilabad Blvd., Mashhad, Iran. Tel.: +98 5118823255; fax: +98 5118823251. E-mail address: akhgari a@yahoo.com (A. Akhgari). 1. Introduction In recent years, colon targeted delivery systems have been the focus point of formulation laboratories. Colonic drug delivery has gained increased importance 0378-5173/$ – see front matter © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2005.08.025