ABSTRACT:
Nateglinide, a novel anti-diabetic drug used for management of type II (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was formulated into matrix tablet using hydrophilic polymers such as HPMC, HPC, and Na CMC as release retardants. In present study, the hydrophilic matrixes prepared were containing a blend of one or more gel forming polymer and then the binary mixture was finally prepared having different concentrations. The concentration of nateglinide was kept constant and MCC was used as filler. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, thickness, drug content, invitro release. In the present study, the effect of polymer concentration, binary polymer mixture and direct compression methods on drug release profiles was studied. It was observed that the type of polymer and its concentration influences the drug release from matrix tablets. Matrix tablets that contained a blend of Na CMC and cellulose ethers, successfully sustained the release of nateglinide for a period of 12 hrs. Nateglinide was predominantly released by non-fickian (anomalous) mechanism that is diffusion through the honeycomb network and polymer relaxation.