Formulation and Development of Gastro Retentive Floating Tablets of Lovastatin Using Novel Natural and Synthetic Polymers

Abstract

The present study focuses on the formulation and development of gastro retentive floating tablets of Lovastatin using novel natural and synthetic polymers such as ethyl cellulose, isapgol husk, and fenugreek extract. Lovastatin, a lipid-lowering agent with a narrow absorption window in the upper gastrointestinal tract, benefits from a gastro retentive drug delivery approach to enhance its bioavailability. A series of formulations (F1–F9) were prepared using the direct compression method and evaluated for various pre- and post-compression parameters, including hardness, friability, drug content, floating lag time, total floating duration, and in vitro drug release. Among the developed formulations, F5 was identified as the optimized batch, exhibiting a floating lag time of less than one minute, total buoyancy exceeding 12 hours, and a sustained drug release of 99.56% over 12 hours. The combination of synthetic ethyl cellulose with natural swelling agents like isapgol husk and fenugreek extract provided an effective matrix system for prolonged gastric retention and controlled drug release. The results suggest that the developed gastro retentive floating tablets of Lovastatin offer a promising strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.