Acrylamide grafted neem (Azadirachta indica) gum polymer: Screening and exploration as a drug release retardant for tablet formulation.

The study was initiated with the intent to synthesize acrylamide grafted neem gum polymer (AAm-g-NG), and screen its drug release retardation ability both in vitro and in vivo. Different batches (NGP-1 to NGP-9) of tablet formulation were prepared by varying polymer concentration using propranolol HCl and compared with HPMC K100 M and marketed SR tablets. FTIR study proved the grafting phenomenon and showed no incompatibility between AAm-g-NG and propranolol HCl. AAm-g-NG showed significant swelling and water retention capacity than NG. AAm-g-NG was found to be biodegradable and exhibited no toxicity to Artemia salina. After 12 h, NGP-6 showed non-significant (p > 0.05; f2= ∼ 90) percent drug release (80.52 ±â€¯3.41%) compare to marketed formulation (79.65 ±â€¯4.08%). Significant swelling of the matrix caused slower diffusion of the drug. NGP-6 and marketed formulation in rabbits showed the non-significant difference between Cmax and Tmax, hence NGP-6 meets the requirement of sustained-release tablets.