194FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MUCOADHESIVE MICROSPHERES OF PIOGLITAZONE HYDROCHLORIDE PREPARED BY SOLVENT EVAPORATION TECHNIQUEThis study involves preparation and evaluation of mucoadhesive pioglitazone HCl microspheres for improving the drug bioavailability by prolonged effect with reduced fluctuations in drug plasma concentration levels. Microspheres of pioglitazone HCl were prepared by solvent evaporation method, using ethylcellulose in combination with different mucoadhesive polymers namely, hydroxyl propyl methylcellulose (HPMC), eudragit RL100 and eudragit RS100. The prepared microspheres were evaluated for various parameters such as morphology, drug-polymer compatibility, drug loading efficiency, drug content uniformity and in-vitro wash-off test and dissolution kinetics. The microspheres were found discrete and spherical in scanning electron microscopy studies. Microspheres containing HPMC and eudragit RL100 exhibited superior mucoadhesive property. In-vitro drug release studies were carried out up to 18 h. The best fit drug release kinetics was achieved with Koresmeyer peppas. The prepared microspheres could be employed as mucoadhesive drug delivery systems for controlled delivery of pioglitazone.srirampharma@gmail.comResearch382012Microspheres,Pioglitazone,Mucoadhesion, Sustained release,Solvent evaporation methodPrakash Katakam,N.SriramDepartment of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Zawia, Az Zawiyah, Libya.,Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, A.P., India.