Title: Development and characterisation of sodium alginate and HPMC films for mucosal drug delivery

Authors: Dinesh Rai, Mohammed Maniruzzaman, Joshua S. Boateng

Addresses: Department of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, University of Greenwich at Medway, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK. ' Department of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, University of Greenwich at Medway, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK. ' Department of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, University of Greenwich at Medway, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK

Abstract: The aim of this work was to develop and evaluate sodium alginate (SA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films as novel drug delivery systems for moist surfaces such as wounds, buccal and vaginal cavities. Films containing SA or HPMC and PEG 200 or glycerol were prepared by a solvent casting technique. Process optimisation was performed to establish the best experimental parameters for preparing the films. Physical appearance, ease of removal, tensile properties (tensile strength, % strain at break) and plasticiser leaching were investigated. These criteria formed the basis for further development formulations comprising optimum ratios of SA/HPMC and PEG 200/glycerol. The optimum polymer-plasticiser combinations were then selected for further characterisation of tensile, hydration, adhesive properties by texture analysis and surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed the potential of developing both fast and controlled release mucosal formulations by a combination of the two polymers.

Keywords: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; HPMC films; sodium alginate films; glycerol; GLY; polyethylene glycol; PEG; solvent casting; process optimisation; mucosal drug delivery; moist surfaces; wounds, buccal cavity; vaginal cavity; physical appearance; ease of removal; tensile strength; strain; plasticiser leaching; texture analysis; surface morphology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2010.036594

International Journal of Biotechnology, 2010 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.169 - 181

Published online: 04 Nov 2010 *

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