en فارماسیوتیکس Pharmaceutics پژوهشي Original Research <p>The aim of the present work was to assess the feasibility of Acconon MC8-2 EP/NF as a bioadhesive material for developing controlled release gastroretentive microsponges of loratadine. Modified emulsion-solvent diffusion method was employed for the preparation of microsponges (F1-F9) based on &nbsp;3² factorial design. The amount of ethyl cellulose (EC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were selected as independent variables while particle size, entrapment efficiency and %CDR were designated as dependent variables. The formulation (F1) with least particle size of 54 &plusmn; 2.37&micro;m, entrapment efficiency of 65.98 &plusmn; 2.21 % and CDR of 88.15 &plusmn; 1.59% at 8 h that followed zero order release kinetics was selected as optimized formulation. F1 was re-fabricated as bioadhesive microsponges (BF1) using Acconon MC 8-2 and assessed.&nbsp; The particle size of BF1increased to 84 &plusmn; 2.29 &micro;m whereas the entrapment efficiency lowered to 55.19 &plusmn; 1.36% in comparison to F1. However, the CDR_8h from BF1 (81.65 &plusmn; 3.37%) was comparable to F1. Dynamic <em>in vitro</em> bioadhesion test confirmed the bioadhesive property of BF1. <em>Ex vivo</em> permeation across gastric mucin depicted 52.87% CDP_8h that followed zero order kinetics (r² = 0.9885). Scanning electron microscopy revealed spherical and highly porous surface. The FTIR studies revealed no chemical interaction between drug and excipients. Hence, the study affirmed the bioadhesive characteristics of Acconon MC 8-2 EP/NF for development of controlled release biaodhesive floating microsponges of loratadine.</p> Acconon MC 8-2 EP/NF, bioadhesivity, loratadine, gastroretentive microsponges 58 74 http://pbr.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-53-4&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Sonam Singh 1003194753284600975 1003194753284600975 No Department of Pharmaceutics, Rajiv Academy for Pharmacy, Mathura, 281001, India Kamla Pathak 1003194753284600976 1003194753284600976 Yes Department of Pharmaceutics, Pharmacy College Saifai, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, 206130, India