A Review On: Alginate Forming In-Situ Gel for Treating Peptic Ulcers and Reflux Disorders

The oral delivery of drugs with a narrow absorption window in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is often limited by poor bioavailability with conventional dosage forms due to incomplete drug release and short residence time at the site of absorption. In-situ gel provides the best way to overcome problems of immediate release and short gastrointestinal residence of liquids. The in situ gel dosage form is a liquid before administration and after it comes in contact with gastric contents due to one or more mechanisms gets converted to gel which floats on gastric contents. This achieves increased residence as well as sustained release. This approach is useful for systemic as well as local effect of drugs administered. In the presence of gastric acid, alginates precipitate, forming a gel.Alginate-based raft-forming formulations usually contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate; in thepresence of gastric acid, the bicarbonate is converted to carbon dioxide which becomes entrapped within the gel precipitate, converting it into a foam which floats on the surface of the gastric contents, much like a raft on water. Alginate-based rafts can entrap carbon dioxide, as well as antacid components contained in some formulations, thus providing a relatively pH-neutral barrier, they also act as physical barrier to reduce the episode of reflux disorders. This review gives the information about alginate raft gel alone and/ or along with different type of antacids( H2 receptors & proton pump inhibitors) can be efficiently used to treat peptic ulcers as well as reflux disorders.