Bashir et al Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics. 2019; 9(2):442-448
ISSN: 2250-1177 [442] CODEN (USA): JDDTAO
Available online on 15.03.2019 at http://jddtonline.info
Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics
Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research
© 2011-18, publisher and licensee JDDT, This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted
non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited
Open Access Review Article
Floating Oral In-Situ Gel: A Review
Rabiah Bashir, Asmat Majeed, Tabasum Ali, Saeema Farooq, Nisar Ahmad Khan*
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences and Technology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu
and Kashmir, India.
ABSTRACT
The drugs having a narrow absorption window in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) when administered by oral route are often limited by poor
bioavailability due to incomplete drug release and short residence time at the site of absorption. Novel drug delivery systems in the form of
gastroretentive systems such as floating systems, mucoadhesive, high-density, expandable have been developed as they provide controlled
delivery of drugs with prolonged gastric residence time. Liquid orals are more prone to low bioavailability because they are eliminated quickly
from the stomach since they are subjected to faster transit from the stomach/ duodenum. The problems of immediate release and short
gastrointestinal residence of liquids are eliminated by formulating as oral in situ gels as they provide the best means to overcome these
problems The in situ gel dosage form is a liquid before administration and after it comes in contact with gastric contents due to one or more
mechanisms gets converted to gel which floats on gastric contents. This achieves increased residence as well as sustained release. This approach
is useful for systemic as well as local effect of drugs administered. This review gives a brief idea about floating oral in-situ gel formation and
research done by various scientists on a number of drugs and polymers.
Keywords: Floating drug delivery, gastric retention time, In-situ gel.
Article Info: Received 24 Jan 2019; Review Completed 20 Feb 2019; Accepted 22 Feb 2019; Available online 15 March 2019
Cite this article as:
Bashir R, Majeed A, Ali T, Farooq S, Khan NA, Floating Oral In-Situ Gel: A Review, Journal of Drug Delivery and
Therapeutics. 2019; 9(2):442-448 http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v9i2.2372
*Address for Correspondence:
Nisar Ahmad Khan, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar-190006, Jammu
and Kashmir, India.
INTRODUCTION
Floating Drug Delivery System is one of the novel system of
drug delivery. Various dosage forms are formulated in the
form gastro retentive floating systems such as microspheres,
micro beads, tablets, capsules, films etc. In-situ gelling
system is a new trend in floating DDS. In-situ gelling system
have its application in different routes of administration like
oral, nasal, ophthalmic, peroral, rectal, vaginal and also
parenteral route. In situ forming polymeric drug delivery
systems has many advantages such as ease of administration,
increased local bioavailability, reduced dose frequency,
improved patient compliance and has less complex method
of production and so is cost effective. Gastro retentive FDDS
have bulk density lower than gastric fluid and hence remain
buoyant in stomach without affecting the gastric emptying
rate for a long period of time. When the gel so formed float
on gastric fluid the drug get released slowly at desired rate
from the floating gel. After drug is released from floating
system, the residual part is emptied from stomach. This may
increase GRT and also control the fluctuations in plasma
drug concentration (PCD). Floating system are the controlled
or sustained release dosage form and have properties similar
to hydrophilic matrices and so called as hydrodynamically
balanced system (HBS) as they form a low density polymeric
gel barrier at outer surface. Drug is slowly released from the
matrices same as that in case of conventional hydrophilic
matrices. This form may remain buoyant (8-10 hours) on
gastric contents without affecting the rate of gastric
emptying. Different polymer systems are used in floating
drug delivering dosage forms. Among those some are
polysaccharides, polymethacrylates, hydrocolloids etc. in this
cellulose ether polymers are most popular, especially HPMC.
The formulation of floating in situ gelling solution may
sustain and prolong drug action, improve patient compliance
and reduce frequency of administration of the drug in
comparison to conventional drug delivery system
1-9
. Floating
drug delivery system (FDDS) was first described by Davis in
1968. FDDS is an effective technology to prolong the gastric
residence time in order to improve the bioavailability of the
drug. Floating drug delivery systems meant for gastric
retention, float on the surface of the gastric fluids, due to
their low density and produce prolonged effect by showing
the controlled release. This type of delivery system is of
great value for drugs which get absorbed from upper part of
the stomach i.e. their absorption window resides in upper
part of stomach. It is also useful for drugs which are inserting
at alkaline pH of intestine and remains unabsorbed or causes
side effects due to insolubility. The FDDS are particularly