The objective of this study was to assess feasibility of applying shellac as a biopolymer filament for using in fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. The shellac matrices were prepared through hot melt process by heating the ground shellac samples at 80°C in a silicone oil bath under continuous stirring for 15 min. Accelerated stability testing (annealing process) was also performed in order to evaluated thermal stability by re-heating shellac matrices at 80 °C for 12 h and 24 h in a hot air oven. The shellac matrices and annealed shellac matrices were then comparatively characterized. In the present study, all shellac matrices were investigated for physical appearance, acid value, insoluble solid, moisture content and also characterized by instrument analysis including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and thermal analysis. The results demonstrated that shellac with initial heat (80°C, 15 min) and annealed at 80°C for 12 h had similar properties except the annealed shellac at 80°C for 24 h which shown the lower acid value and formed insoluble solid. The melting temperature, decomposition temperature and melting enthalpy of shellac were around 63-64°C, over than 200°C and 23 J/g, respectively. Furthermore, the extruded filament based on shellac was achieved by hot melt extrusion (HME) technique. The findings revealed that the shellac properties might be suitable to fabricate FDM filaments.

The purpose of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate anti-nail-biting lacquers consisting of bitter herbal extracts. The hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Andrographis paniculata and Tinospora crispa were determined for phytochemical constituents, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory activities, and cytotoxicities. Anti-nail-biting lacquers were prepared by using herbal extracts (bittering agent), shellac (film forming polymer), ethanol (volatile solvent), and other indispensable additives with continuous stirring. Thus, attempts to enhance the film property and bitterness are accomplished by using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) as a copolymer and varying concentrations of herbal extracts. Good accepted formulations were established for drying time, pH, viscosity, smoothness of film, film strength, water resistant, and solubility in simulated saliva and evaluated their bitterness in human volunteers. The results revealed that phytochemical constituents including tannins, glycosides, reducing sugars, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids were found present in both extracts while saponins were only detected in A. paniculata extract. Although T. crispa extract exhibited a significantly higher ( p < 0.05 ) total phenolic content and antioxidant activity than A. paniculata extract, it showed lower protein denaturation inhibition property than A. paniculata extract. Because of the potentials of both extracts without cytotoxicity, anti-nail-biting lacquers containing either A. paniculata extract or T. crispa extract were developed and evaluated. Drying time of formulations was 6-11 min with visually seen glossiness of formulation. Formulations of the nail lacquer showed good pH, viscosity, smoothness of film, film strength, water resistant, and solubility in simulated saliva. The formulations displaying no significant cytotoxicity effect on CRL-2076 cells were assessed on healthy human volunteers to compare bitterness and film characteristics. The results revealed that the optimized formulation containing A. paniculata extract could successfully achieve good film forming property and bitterness release which is considered promising for stopping nail biting.

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Purpose: To prepare and evaluate poly(methacrylic acid (MAA)-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGD)) as a tablet disintegrant. Methods: Poly(MAA-co-EGD) in acid (H) and sodium (Na) forms at cross-linker (EGD) levels of 0.25-16 % were synthesized and subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Swelling capacity, disintegration efficiency and cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells were determined using standard procedures. Results: Poly(MAA-co-EGD) in acid (H) and sodium (Na) forms were successfully prepared. In contact with water, the polymers in Na form swelled more than those in H form. The swelling capacities of polymers in H and Na forms decreased with increasing amounts of cross-linker. Incorporation of the polymers accelerated the disintegration of microcrystalline cellulose tablets (placebo), and the disintegration efficiency depended on the salt form and amount of cross-linker. The Na salt form of the polymer crosslinked at 16 % EGD was the best candidate disintegrant. When used at 2.5 and 10 %, the selected polymer effectively promoted the disintegration and drug release of propranolol hydrochloride tablets. Moreover, cytotoxicity tests showed that it was non-toxic to Caco-2 cells. Conclusion: The developed poly(MAA-co-EGD) possesses good disintegration and dissolution functionalities. Thus, it may be adopted as a new super-disintegrant for fast-release tablets.

Background: Nail biting can increase the risk of infection and abnormal-looking nails. The purpose of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate anti-nail-biting lacquers consisting of bitter herbal extracts. Methods: The hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Andrographis paniculata and Tinospora crispa were determined for phytochemical constituents, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory activities, and cytotoxicities. Anti-nail-biting lacquers were prepared by using herbal extracts (bittering agent), shellac (film forming polymer), ethanol (volatile solvent), and other indispensable additives with continuous stirring. Thus, attempts to enhance the film property and bitterness is accomplished by using polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 as a copolymer and varying concentrations of herbal extracts. Good accepted formulations were established for drying time, pH, viscosity, smoothness of film, film strength, water resistant, and solubility in simulated saliva and then evaluated their bitterness in human volunteers.Results: Phytochemical constituents including tannins, glycosides, reducing sugars, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids were found present in both extracts while saponins was only detected in A. paniculata extract. Although T. crispa extract exhibited a significantly higher (p < 0.05) total phenolic content and antioxidant activity than A. paniculata extract, it showed lower protein denaturation inhibition property than A. paniculata extract. Because of the potentials of both extracts without cytotoxicity, anti-nail-biting lacquers containing either A. paniculata extract or T. crispa extract were developed and evaluated. Drying time of formulations were 6-11 min with visually seen glossiness of formulation. Formulations of the nail lacquer showed good pH, viscosity, smoothness of film, film strength, water resistant, and solubility in simulated saliva. The formulations displaying no significant cytotoxicity effect on CRL-2076 cells were assessed on healthy human volunteers to compare bitterness and film characteristics. Conclusion: The optimized formulation containing A. paniculata extract could successfully achieve good film forming property and bitterness release which is considered promising for stopping nail biting.