Diclofenac fast-dissolving film: suppression of bitterness by a taste-sensing system.
BACKGROUND
The selection of a proper taste-masking agent (TMA) is a critical issue in the development of fast-dissolving films containing bitter drugs.


OBJECTIVE
This work is aimed to evaluate the suppression of the bitter taste of a maltodextrin fast-dissolving film loaded with 13.4 mg sodium diclofenac (DS) by adding TMAs.


METHODS
The films were prepared by casting and drying aqueous mixtures of maltodextrin (DE = 6), glycerin, sorbitan oleate, and DS. Films were characterized in terms of thickness, tensile properties, film disintegration time, and drug dissolution time. The bitterness intensity of DS and the masking effect of TMAs were evaluated by an electronic tongue.


RESULTS
The 'mint' and 'licorice' flavors and sucralose mixture resulted appropriate to mask DS bitterness as confirmed by a panel of volunteers. The addition of these TMAs did not significantly affect the film disintegration time (15-20 seconds) and DS dissolution rate (about 5 minutes).


CONCLUSIONS
The electronic tongue was allowed to discriminate the effect of the TMA also in the presence of other hydrosoluble constituents of the film. Therefore, because of its simplicity and rapidity, this technique could assist or even replace the sensory evaluation in the development of fast-dissolving films.
Cilurzo
Francesco
F
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. francesco.cilurzo@unimi.it
Cupone
Irma Elisa
IE
Minghetti
Paola
P
Buratti
Susanna
S
Gennari
Chiara G M
CG
Montanari
Luisa
L
D058956:Administration, Mucosal; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004339:Drug Compounding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004581:Electronics; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013649:Taste; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014059:Tongue
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004304:Dosage Forms; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D011134:Polysaccharides; D004008:Diclofenac; C008315:maltodextrin