Preparation of Film Containing Polyelectrolyte Complex for Topical Delivery of Penciclovir

Abstract

A thin film refers to a pliable polymer layer, with or without a plasticizer. In this study, penciclovir (PCV) was used as a model drug, which is class III according to biopharmaceutical classification system. It has low oral bioavailability (5-10%) and limited half-life of 2hours. The aim of this work was preparation and evaluation of polyelectrolyte complex containing penciclovir as a bioadhesive film for the treatment of skin viral lesions. The method used for the preparation of the films was solvent casting method, using acacia gum (as negative charged polymer) and chitosan (as positive charged polymer) as the main components. PEC films were prepared with different molar ratio and concentration of acacia and chitosan, different pH, and type of chitosan (according to molecular weight). The prepared films undergo evaluation in terms of their percent encapsulation efficiency (%EE), film thickness, folding endurance, swelling index, and drug release. The results showed that the best film (F10) had 90 % entrapment efficiency, suitable swelling index, pH (5.5), good bioadhesion force(0.133N±0.015), and showed 57.3% drug release after 6 hours, and continued to reach 100 % after 12 hours. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) investigation confirm the formation of PEC between the chitosan and acacia. Finally, F10 film could be considered as a suitable prolong release topical drug delivery system that may improve patient compliance compared to the available topical cream.