ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To prepare oxymatrine pellets and study the pellets' properties.METHODS:Oxymatrine pellets were prepared using an experimental low-temperature extrusion-spheronization granulator.L9(34)orthogonal design was used to obtain optimal formulation.The micromeritic properties and in vitro dissolution of the pellets at different dosage were determined.RESULTS:Oxymatrine pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization were round and smooth and well-distributed.The optimal technical conditions were as follows:water∶MCC=0.90∶1;spheronization velocity=35 Hz;spheroniza-tion time=5 min;extrusion velocity=40 Hz.The in vitro dissolution was more than 75% within 30 minutes.CONCLUSION:The process of preparing pellets by extrusion-spheronization was simple and feasible and the quality of pellets was excellent.