ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In vitro aminophylline release from matrix tablets with konjac glucomannan (KGM) were studied to elevate the feasibility of KGM used as carrier materials to prepare matrix tablets.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>KGM hydrophilic matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method with aminophylline as the model drug. The effects of test methods, pH values, ionic strength of dissolution media and rotation speeds on drug release were studied by in vitro dissolution experiment.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The MDT value tested by Paddle method was less than that tested by Basket method (P < 0.05). Among the rate of drug release in different dissolution media, distillded water is the fastest, pH 6. 8 PBS is the second, 0.1 mol x L(-1) HCL is the slowest. MDT increased with increasing the ionic strength of dissolution media (P < 0.05). MDT decreased with increasing the rotation speed, but the rate of drug release did not increase when the rotation speed was more than 100 r x min(-1) (P > 0.1). The mechanism of drug release were diffusion and erosion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>KGM can be used in sustained delivery systems as a good candidate of hydrophilic polymer.</p>