Polymeric films as vehicle for buccal delivery: swelling, mechanical, and bioadhesive properties.

PURPOSE: To investigate the suitability of an SCMC (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/polyethylene glycol 400/carbopol 934P) and an HPMC (hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose/polyethylene glycol 400/carbopol 934P) films as drug vehicle for buccal delivery.
METHODS: The mechanical and in vitro bioadhesive strength properties of the films were investigated using texture analyzer equipment, while swelling behavior was studied in different media, namely, distilled water and simulated saliva solution. In addition, the in vivo bioadhesion of the film was studied by estimating the film residence time on buccal mucosa of human volunteers.
RESULTS: Increase in carbopol 934P content was found to elevate the elasticity, softness and bioadhesive strength but decrease the strength and degree of swelling of both SCMC and HPMC films. SCMC films swelled more extensively in distilled water while HPMC films in simulated saliva solution. HPMC films exhibited greater in vivo bioadhesion although the in vitro bioadhesive strength was lower than SCMC films. Correlation existed between the in vivo and in vitro bioadhesion data within the polymer, but no rank correlation was observed between the two polymers.
CONCLUSION: HPMC films may be preferred over SCMC films as drug vehicle for buccal delivery as the former was tougher, more elastic, more bioadhesive in vivo and swelled in a more tolerable manner in the oral cavity than the latter.