The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of Carboxymethylated Tamarind seed polysaccharide (CMTSP) as a matrix former in sustained release matrix tablets of Glipizide. Carboxymethylation of Tamarind kernel powder (TKP) was carried out and evaluated for its micromeritic properties viz. bulk density, tap density, angle of repose, Hausner’s ratio, Carr’s index and the results indicated good flow properties. CM-TSP was also evaluated for various physicochemical properties such as solubility, swelling index, melting point and viscosity. The drug and CM-TSP were found to be compatible as confirmed by IR spectral studies and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Sustained release matrix tablets of Glipizide were prepared by direct compression method using CM-TSP as matrix former. A 32 full factorial design with two independent variables and three dependent variables was employed to optimize drug release profile and evaluated using Response Surface Methodology. Concentration of CM-TSP (X1) and type of diluent (X2) were taken as independent variables. The dependent variables selected were percent of drug release at 4 hr (Y1), 8hr (Y2) and swelling index (Y3). Response surface plots were developed, and optimum formulation was selected. The Formulation F8 showed a slow and complete drug release of 98.35±0.57% over a period of 20 hr with ‘n’ value 0.642 indicating that the release mechanism was Non-Fickian. The polymer CM-TSP had significant effect on drug release from the tablet (p>0.05). Polynomial mathematical models generated for various response variables using multiple regression analysis, were found to be statistically significant (p>0.05).
