title: Characterisation of freeze-dried wafers and solvent evaporated films as potential drug delivery systems to mucosal surfaces.
abstract: Freeze-dried (lyophilised) wafers and solvent cast films from sodium alginate (ALG) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) have been developed as potential drug delivery systems for mucosal surfaces including wounds. The wafers (ALG, CMC) and films (CMC) were prepared by freeze-drying and drying in air (solvent evaporation) respectively, aqueous gels of the polymers containing paracetamol as a model drug. Microscopic architecture was examined using scanning electron microscopy, hydration characteristics with confocal laser scanning microscopy and dynamic vapour sorption. Texture analysis was employed to investigate mechanical characteristics of the wafers during compression. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate polymorphic changes of paracetamol occurring during formulation of the wafers and films. The porous freeze-dried wafers exhibited higher drug loading and water absorption capacity than the corresponding solvent evaporated films. Moisture absorption, ease of hydration and mechanical behaviour were affected by the polymer and drug concentration. Two polymorphs of paracetamol were observed in the wafers and films, due to partial conversion of the original monoclinic to the orthorhombic polymorph during the formulation process. The results showed the potential of employing the freeze-dried wafers and solvent evaporated films in diverse mucosal applications due to their ease of hydration and based on different physical mechanical properties exhibited by both type of formulations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, John Arbuthnott Building, 27 Taylor Street, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK. J.S.Boateng@gre.ac.uk
authors.forename: Joshua S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Boateng
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Auffret
authors.forename: Kerr H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Humphrey
authors.forename: Howard N E
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Gillian M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Eccleston
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000737:chemistry; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D003460:Crystallization; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005782:Gels; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005782:Gels; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D000082:Acetaminophen; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium