In vitro characterization of mucoadhesive polysaccharide polymers tablets fabricated using FTIR press

Abstract

Background and Aim: Buccal/sublingual drug delivery is gradually becoming one of the most experimented routes for alternate drug delivery. The major advantage of both routes is their high vascularity that allows a substantial permeation of drugs into systemic circulation. Mucoadhesive biopolymers are the mainstay of a transmucosal drug delivery system. Methods: We formulated blank tablets of explored mucoadhesive biopolymers (sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyl propyl methyl) cellulose using a combination of two at a time. The novelty of this script lies in the formation of tablets using the FTIR hydraulic press, as opposed toa conventional tablet punching machine, at two different pressures. The tablets were subjected to basic characterizations of polymeric interaction, hardness, and swelling behaviour. Results: An interaction analysis using XRD revealed a good interaction between the polymers. HC-300 and AC-300 were found to be the hardest among the tablets formulated. In terms of swelling behaviour, AC-200 and HA-300 displayed the best swelling as compared to other combinations. Conclusion: In the absence of a conventional tablet punching machine, we fabricated swellable biopolymeric tablets using the regular KBr hydraulic press that comes as an accessory with the FTIR instrument. These tablets can possible be used for delivering drugs through buccal mucosa.