Technological Development of Mucoadhesive Film Containing Poloxamer 407, Polyvinyl Alcohol and Polyvinylpyrrolidone for Buccal Metronidazole Delivery

Abstract

Aim: This work aimed to develop a mucoadhesive film composed of a triblock copolymer (poloxamer 407), polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone for buccal modified delivery of metronidazole. Materials & methods: Three film formulations containing different polymer amounts were prepared by solvent casting. They were characterized as physicochemical, mechanical and mucoadhesive properties, and in vitro metronidazole release profiles. Results: Films displayed physicochemical, mechanical and mucoadhesive characteristics dependent of polymeric composition and drug presence. They could rapidly swell and promote the fast drug release (80% in 20 min) that was governed by Fickian diffusion. The films showed total disintegration in less than 90 s and total drug release in 30 min. Conclusion: Therefore, the formulations represent a promising alternative for modifying of buccal metronidazole delivery for pharmaceutical applications.

Keywords:

• bioadhesion
• drug-release profile
• mechanical properties
• polyvinyl alcohol
• polyvinylpyrrolidone
• triblock copolymer

Author contributions

CF Vecchi contributed to conceptualization, methodology, investigation, formal analysis and writing original draft preparation. RS dos Santos contributed to investigation, methodology and formal analysis. ML Bruschi contributed to conceptualization, methodology, resources, writing-reviewing and editing, supervision, project administration and funding acquisition.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to CNPq, CAPES and FINEP (Brazilian Financier of Studies and Projects).

Financial & competing interests disclosure

CF Vecchi was supported by MD scholarship from the Brazilian National Research Council CNPq. RS dos Santos was supported by MD scholarship from the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education CAPES (Grant code – 001). ML Bruschi received grant from the Brazilian National Research Council CNPq (Process n° 307442/2017-9). The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.