Comparing the mucoadhesivity and drug release mechanisms of various polymer-containing propranolol buccal tablets.

The aims were to compare the mucoadhesivity, controlled release properties, and release mechanisms of several polymeric systems of propranolol buccal tablets and to propose polymer(s) for formulation optimization. Mucoadhesivity differences in the polymer ranking between compacts and tablets were found. Mathematical models that best described the matrices were power law or a combination of the power law and Hopfenberg models. Poly acrylic acid (PAA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and poly ethylene glycol (PEG) in combination, were identified as suitable polymers for formulation optimization of a multipolymeric propranolol buccal tablet. Artificial neural networks were employed as a confirmatory approach to explicate that the selected polymers, in particular PAA, produced the most significant effect on the mean dissolution time and mucoadhesivity.