IMPROVEMENT OF ABSORPTION RATE OF INDOMETHACIN AND REDUCTION OF STOMACH IRRITATION BY ALGINATE DISPERSIONS

The dissolution rates of indomethacin from low molecular weight (mol. wt) alginate dispersions were significantly enhanced in comparison with that of indomethacin alone. The dispersion with lower mol. wt alginate exhibited more rapid dissolution rate than that of dispersion with higher mol. wt alginate. These enhanced dissolution rates of indomethacin by alginate may be due to the improvement of wettability and the decrease of crystallinity and crystal size. The absorption rate from alginate dispersions were enhanced in comparison with that from indomethacin alone, and enhanced only the rate of bioavailability in beagle dogs and volunteers. In addition, indomethacin-induced gastric lesions were reduced by dispersing indomethacin in alginate.