Rheological Analysis of Polymer Interactions and Ageing of Poly(Methylvinylether-Co-Maleic Anhydride)/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Binary Networks and Their Effects on Mucoadhesion

Rheological analysis and mucoadhesion: A 30 year-old and still active combination

At the end of 80s and in the early 90s, an increasing interest in the development of mucoadhesive formulations occurred in the pharmaceutical field. Such formulations, prolonging the drug permanence on the mucosa of action/absorption, improve drug availability/bioavailability and therefore its therapeutic effectiveness. Among the various methods reported in the literature for the evaluation of the mucoadhesive properties of polymers, in the early 1990s, the study of the rheological variation of the polymer solutions after mixing with a mucin solution/dispersion has been proposed as an approach to measure the strength of the mucoadhesive joint. Even today, both viscosity and viscoelastic measurements are used to evaluate the ability of polymers and formulations to adhere to the mucosa of application/action. This review aims at providing an overview of the rheological approaches employed in the development and characterization of mucoadhesive formulation, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. To do this the scientific path that, since the beginning of the 90s, has led to the affirmation of the rheological analysis as a useful tool for the evaluation of the strength of the mucoadhesive bond is retraced.

Strontium-containing, carbohydrate-based polymer networks as tooth-adherent systems for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity

This study describes the design/physicochemical properties of strontium-containing, mucoadhesive carbohydrate polymeric platforms, designed as treatments for dentine hypersensitivity. Interactive networks were composed of strontium chloride (10% w/w), one of two base polymers (sodium carboxymethylcellulose, NaCMC or hydroxyethylcellulose, HEC), polycarbophil (PC) and, when required, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The physicochemical properties were characterised using oscillatory and flow rheometry, texture profile analysis, mucoadhesion analysis and, additionally, the strontium release properties were examined. All platforms exhibited pseudoplastic flow. Increasing polymer concentrations increased network viscoelasticity, consistency, hardness, compressibility, gel strength, adhesiveness, mucoadhesion and, retarded strontium release. Principally zero-order strontium release was observed from all platforms. Incorporation of strontium reduced the network elasticity, consistency, hardness, compressibility, gel strength and mucoadhesion; HEC-based platforms being affected to a greater extent than NaCMC platforms. NaCMC-based platforms containing 10% strontium chloride, PVP (3% w/w) and PC (3% w/w) potentially displayed the correct balance of physicochemical properties for the treatment of dentine sensitivity.