Formulation and Evaluation of Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablet

Background: The present study involves the formulation and in-vitro assessment of mucoadhesive tablets of hydrocortisone sodium succinate. Local treatment for buccal inflammatory injuries such as aphthous wounds relies on the fact that a high amount of drug can be delivered at the target site, as well as reduction or avoidance of steroidal adverse effects seen by systemic administration routes. Methods: Tablets contained acacia as the mucoadhesive component with different concentrations (10, 20 and 30%w/w). To this, lactose, magnesium stearate and active pharmaceutical ingredient were added and mixed thoroughly. These tablets were prepared by direct compression technique. Buccal tablets were tested for thickness, hardness, weight and content uniformity, surface pH and mucoadhesive strength. Kinetic of drug release was also calculated for the best formulation. Dissolution parameters were also measured in-vitro for the selected formulation and compared with Corlan® as the standard reference tablet. Results: All of the tests confirmed the proper formulation according to the standards of conventional oral tablets. Mucoadhesive strength of one of formulations was about 50% more than the reference tablet. The optimized formulation that was made by 10% acacia provided adequate release comparable to Corlan®. Release profile was best fitted to Hixson-Crowell model. Conclusion: We concluded that our formulated buccal tablet was comparable and similar in-vitro bioequivalent) to the reference tablets.