Development of In Situ-Gelling and Mucoadhesive Liquid Suppository of Ondansetron

The main aim of the present investigation was to develop in situ gelling mucoadhesive liquid suppositories of ondansetron by using mucoadhesive polymers such as sodium alginate, methyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Polyethylene glycol was used to modify gelation temperature. Mucoadhesive liquid suppositories of ondansetron were prepared by adding mucoadhesive polymers (0.8% w/w) to the formulations of thermally gelling liquid suppositories containing poloxamer 407 (18%) and ondansetron (0.8%). The prepared suppositories were evaluated for gelation temperature, mucoadhesive force, gel strength and drug release.Gelation temperature was slightly increased on incorporation of (0.8% w/w) ondansetron in the poloxamer solution, while the addition of the mucoadhesive polymers a reverse effect was observed. These polymers reinforced the gel strength and the mucoadhesive force of the prepared solutions. The addition of PEG 6000 increased the gelation temperature of poloxamer solution. The formulations consisting methyl cellulose required higher concentration of PEG 6000 so as to modulate the gelation temperature of liquid suppository in the range of 30-36C. Among the various formulations examined, the formulation [poloxamer 407/ondansetron/sodium alginate/PEG 6000 (18/0.8/0.8/1.3% w/w)] exhibited the appropriate gelation temperature, mucoadhesive force, gel strength and acceptable drug release.