Abstract

Shellac wax (SHW) is a natural, organic resin obtained from insects such as Laccifer lacca. Poloxamer (P) is synthesized tri-block copolymer consists of hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks arranged in a tri-block structure. In this experiment, the matrix tablets comprising various ratios of P and SHW were fabricated with fusion method. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic model drugs in this study were propranolol hydrochloride (PRN) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), respectively. Water sorption and erosion behaviors and drug release patterns were investigated. Tablet weight and hardness was slightly increased as the content of P increased due to higher density of P than that of SHW. The swollen tablet was obtained when using higher amount of P. In contrast, tablet erosion was observed in matrix tablets comprising lower content of P. The swelling of matrix tablets comprising 7:3 and 8:2 of P: SHW ratios could promote the prolongation of the drug release; thus, they show the potential for using as the matrix base for controlled drug delivery systems.