The present investigation was aimed to assess the in vivo performance of combined polysaccharides based compression coated tablets for colonic delivery using X-ray study. Fast disintegrating core tablets containing barium sulphate was compression coated with guar gum (GG), locust bean gum (LBG) and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) in the ratio 3:3:4 with a coat weight of 400mg. The developed barium sulphate coated tablet was subjected for in vivo human X-ray study. X-ray study revealed that the tablet remained intact during its transit through upper part of gastrointestinal tract. The colon arrival time was found to be between 5-8 h. The disintegration of the tablet occurred in the colon between 14 to 16 h by the microflora present in the colon. In conclusion, results of X-ray studies revealed that GG and LBG along with HPMC was found to be promising coating materials for targeting drugs specifically to the colon.

Colon specific drug delivery system, colon targeting, compression-coat, diclofenac sodium, guar gum, locust bean gum, X-ray imaging and HPMC.

Department of Pharmaceutics, K.R.E.S’s Karnataka College of Pharmacy, Bidar, Karnataka, India.