An investigation into the characteristics of chitosan/Kollicoat SR30D free films for colonic drug delivery

Current Film Coating Designs for Colon-Targeted Oral Delivery

Colon-targeted oral delivery has recently attracted a substantial number of studies on both systemic and local treatments. Among approaches for colonic delivery, film coatings have been demonstrated as effective elements of the drug delivery systems because they can integrate multiple release strategies, such as pH-controlled release, time-controlled release and enzyme-triggered release. Moreover, coating layer modulations, natural film materials and nanoparticle coatings have been vigorously investigated with promising applications. This review aims to describe the primary approaches for improving drug delivery to the colon in the last decade. The outstanding importance of current developments in film coatings will advance dosage form designs and lead to the development of efficient colon-targeted oral delivery systems.

Design, Development, and Characterization of Imiquimod-Loaded Chitosan Films for Topical Delivery

Aldara™ (5% w/w imiquimod) topical cream is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma. However, the cream formulation suffers from dose variability, low drug availability due to the incomplete release, and poor patient compliance. To achieve sustained and complete release of imiquimod, chitosan films were prepared by casting using propylene glycol as a plasticizer. Chitosan films had appropriate physicochemical characteristics for wound dressing and excellent content uniformity and maintained the original physical form of imiquimod. Films were capable of releasing a defined dose of imiquimod over a period of 7 days. The bioactivity of imiquimod was not affected by its entrapment in chitosan matrix as indicated by the results of in vitro growth inhibition assay. In addition, the film formulation showed significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher drug accumulation in the skin when compared to commercial cream formulation.

Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties and Drug Permeability of Chitosan/Eudragit RL Composite Film

Objectives

The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a chitosan-based film that has properties required for successful wound dressing, and can control drug penetration and maintenance time in the location.

Methods

Several formulations of a film containing chitosan (3%) and different concentrations of Eudragit RL (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) were prepared using the casting/solvent evaporating technique. Mechanical properties, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), oxygen permeability, water uptake, and nitrofurazone permeability through the films were investigated.

Results

The study results showed that by increasing the Eudragit RL content of composite films, their thickness and tensile strength were enhanced, while their elongation was decreased. No significant difference was observed between the oxygen permeability, WVTR, and water uptake results of pure chitosan films and different composite films containing Eudragit RL. Nitrofurazone permeability of chitosan films was increased by the inclusion of Eudragit RL in composite films, while by increasing the concentration of Eudragit RL, the permeation rate of drug was decreased.

Conclusion

In conclusion, addition of Eudragit RL can improve mechanical properties of chitosan films without any undesirable effect on their water uptake, oxygen permeability, and WVTR qualities. The permeation rate of drugs through the composite films can be modified by changing Eudragit RL/chitosan ratio.

Tailoring of drug delivery of 5-fluorouracil to the colon via a mixed film coated unit system

The study was carried out to establish the effectiveness of a mixed film composed of ethylcellulose/Eudragit S100 for colonic delivery of 5-flourouracil (5-FU). Tablets cores containing 5-FU were prepared by direct compression method by coating at different levels (2-9%, m/m) with a non-aqueous solution containing ethylcellulose/Eudragit S100. Coated tablets were studied for the in vitro release of 5-FU and the samples were analyzed spectrophotometrically at 266 nm. Drug release from coated systems depended on the thickness of the mixed film and the composition of the core. Channel formation was initiated in the coat by dissolution of the Eudragit S100 fraction at higher pH in the colonic region. The release was found to be higher in tablets containing Avicel as filler owing to its wicking action compared to that from lactose containing cores. Furthermore, batches containing superdisintegrant (1%, m/m Cross-PVP) along with Avicel in the core released approximately 81.1% drug during the colonic transit time. Kinetic studies indicated that all the formulations followed first-order release kinetics. The developed delivery system will expectedly deliver the drug to the colon.

Alginate-magnesium aluminum silicate films for buccal delivery of nicotine

Sodium alginate-magnesium aluminum silicate (SA-MAS) dispersions with nicotine (NCT) were prepared at different pHs and characterized for the particle size and zeta potential, NCT adsorbed by MAS, and flow behavior before film casting. The physicochemical properties, NCT content, in vitro bioadhesive property, and NCT release and permeation of the NCT-loaded SA-MAS films were investigated. This study showed that incorporation of NCT into the SA-MAS dispersions caused a change in particle size and flow behavior and that NCT could be adsorbed by MAS. The formation of protonated NCT at acidic and neutral pHs could interact with negatively charged MAS via an electrostatic force, resulting in the formation of NCT-MAS flocculates/complexes that could act as microreservoirs in the films. The NCT-loaded SA-MAS films prepared at pH 5 yielded the highest NCT content due to non-significant loss of NCT during drying. Moreover, pH of the preparation also affected the crystallinity and thermal properties of the films. The NCT release and permeation across the mucosal membrane of the films could be described using a matrix diffusion controlled mechanism. In addition, the NCT-loaded SA-MAS films also possessed a bioadhesive property for adhesion to the mucosal membrane. This finding suggests that the NCT-loaded SA-MAS films composed of numerous NCT-MAS complexes as microreservoirs demonstrated a strong potential for use as a buccal delivery system.