Alfuzosin hydrochloride-loaded low-density gastroretentive sponges: development, characterization and gastroretentive monitoring in healthy volunteers via MRI.

The current work aimed to develop low-density gastroretentive sponges loaded with alfuzosin HCl (ALF) to sustain the rate of drug release, improve its oral bioavailability and deliver it to the main site of absorption. Sponges were developed, according to a 2 full factorial design, by compression of the lyophilized ALF-loaded hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or chitosan (CH) solutions. The influences of the polymer type, grade and concentration on the appearance, topography, porosity, density, ALF release, floating behavior, swelling, erosion, and mucoadhesive potential of the developed sponges were explored.