In the present study, a gastric retention floating system for Brucea javanica oil,
composed of alginate and carrageenan, was prepared using ionotropic gelation. Parameters
for floatability, drug load, encapsulation efficiency, bead morphology, in vitro
release, and in vivo gastric retention were evaluated. The optimized formulation
via Box-Behnken design consisted of 1.7% alginate (W/V), 1.02% carrageenan (W/V),
1.4% CaCO 3 (W/V), and a gelling bath of pH 0.8. The alginate-carrageenan-Brucea
javanica oil beads had a porous structure and exhibited up to 24 h of in vitro
floatability with a load capacity of 45%-55% and an encapsulation efficiency of 70%-80%.
A 6-h sustained release was observed in vitro. The beads had a prolonged gastric
retention (> 60% at 6 h) in fasted rats, compared to non-floating beads (15% at 6
h), as measured by gamma scintigraphy with single-photon emission tomography/computed
tomography (SPET/CT). In conclusion, the alginate-carrageenan-Brucea javanica oil
system showed enhanced oil encapsulation efficiency, excellent floating and gastric
retention abilities, and a favorable release behavior.