Bioinspired bioartifical polymer hybrid composites for propolis vaginal delivery II: formulation and characterization

In our previous work Box-Behnken experimental design was applied for formulation optimization of the thermoreversible mucoadhesive in situ vaginal hydrogels with propolis and optimized batches were identified. Optimized batches of bioartificial polymer hybrid composites (chitosan, Lutrol® F-127 and Lutrol® F-68 mixture)) (CP1, CP2, CP3) were prepared using so-called cold method. Formulation P3 (chitosan free) was prepared in order to evaluate the effect of chitosan on the physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical properties of the polymer hybrid composites (gels). The pH values of the gels were 4-4.5. The gelation temperature for all formulations was in a range of 29-33 o C. Total flavonoids content was above 95%. Increase in concentration of Lutrol® F-127 and Lutrol® F-68/Lutrol® F-127 ratio lead to a higher viscosity values and slower gel erosion/dissolution. The presence of chitosan increased gel viscosity and hence slow-down erossion/dissoluiton. Propolis release rate was the highest in P3 which released propolis within 5 h, corresponding to time of complete erosion. The same correlation between erosion process and drug release rate was observed in CP1-CP3, where prolonged propolis release for more than 10 h was achieved. Microbiological quality was in accordance with the requirements of Ph. Eur. 7. All formulations demonstrated adequate stability at 5 ± 3 °C during 6 months. Based on overall results it can be anticipated that bioartificial blended bioinspired polymer hybrid composites for propolis vaginal delivery could represent intelligent delivery systems with physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties in favor or efficacious and safe therapy of vaginal infections.