Author(s):
Preethi GB, Hemashree R, Harshavardhan Gowda M
Email(s):
preethi.gb@klepharmblr.org
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00364 
Address:
Preethi GB*, Hemashree R, Harshavardhan Gowda M
Department of Pharmaceutics, KLE College of Pharmacy, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010,
KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi 590010, Karnataka, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 6,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Anti-hyperlipidemic drug Atorvastatin calcium (ATC) belongs to Class II Biopharmaceutical classification system that shows poor solubility and rapid metabolism. This study aims to prepare super porous hydrogel (SPH) tablets of ATC with enhanced solubility, prolong gastric residence time with extended drug release. To increase the solubility of ATC, solid dispersion (ATC-SD) was prepared by solvent evaporation technique using Kolliphor RH-40 as hydrophilic carrier. Later six Super porous hydrogels (AH1-AH6) was prepared by Gas blowing technique using polymers Chitosan 95% and PVA, formaldehyde as crosslinking agent and sodium bicarbonate as foaming agent. Based on the primary evaluations density, porosity, void fraction, swelling and water retention capacity AH2 was subjected further for DSC, FTIR, XRD and SEM. Results showed no interaction between drug and excipients and SEM analysis confirmed porous structure of AH2 hydrogel. The best hydrogel AH2 was further used to prepare SPH tablet of ATC-SD by wet granulation method. The hydrogel tablets exhibited good pre-compressional and post-compressional parameters. From comparative in-vitro dissolution it was observed that SPH tablets of ATC-SD showed sustained drug release with cumulative drug release of 86.45±0.9% in comparison with SPH containing pure drug ATC (64.20±0.8) for 10h. The drug release from SPH tablets containing ATC-SD correlated well with Higuchi kinetic model with R2 of 0.9694 and n>1 from peppas model revealed super case II transport mechanism. The results demonstrated that the preparation of SPH tablets with solid dispersed drug offers prolonged gastric retention and improved dissolution of ATC, making it a preferable alternative to conventional formulations.
Cite this article:
Preethi GB, Hemashree R, Harshavardhan Gowda M. Hydrogel Based Gastroretentive System for Atorvastatin Calcium: Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(6):2543-0. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00364
Cite(Electronic):
Preethi GB, Hemashree R, Harshavardhan Gowda M. Hydrogel Based Gastroretentive System for Atorvastatin Calcium: Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(6):2543-0. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00364 Available on: https://rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-6-21
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