Pharmacological and toxicological investigations of etodolac loaded gum katira microspheres prepared by W1/O/W2 emulsion solvent evaporation technique in rats

ABSTRACT Etodolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and approved by USFDA as a COX2 inhibitor. Although etodolac therapy provides clinical benefits, it is associated with upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract complications also. Etodolac loaded gum Katira microsphere (ELGKM) was prepared by W1/O/W2 emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The gastric irritation properties of orally administered pure etodolac, ELGKM and blank microspheres (without etodolac) were evaluated in experimental rats treated for 6 days. The stomach examination and biochemical investigation of stomach tissue of treated rats indicated that ELGKM formulation remarkably reduced ulcerogenecity as compared to pure etodolac. The anti-inflammatory activities of pure etodolac and ELGKMs were ascertained by the implantation of cotton pellets in rats for 6 days. Based on the results, ELGKMs showed significant anti-inflammatory activities (P