DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BUCCAL PATCHES CONTAINING ATENOLOL USING HYDROPHILIC POLYMERS

Abstract

Objective: The present investigation focused on fabrication and evaluation of atenolol releasing buccal patches comprising mucoadhesive hydrophilic polymers like sodium alginate and tamarind seed polysaccharide with a drug-free backing layer (6 % ethylcellulose). Methods: Solvent evaporation technique being employed in the development of atenolol comprising buccal patches using mucoadhesive hydrophilic polymers. The prepared buccal patch formulations were tested for thickness, weight variation, folding endurance, drug content, moisture content, moisture absorption, % swelling, surface pH, in vitro residence time and mucoadhesion studies. The drug permeation through goat buccal mucosal membrane was conducted with the use of Franz diffusion cell in phosphate buffer saline, pH 6.8 and was subjected to FT-IR and SEM characterization. Stability study was performed as per ICH guidelines. Results: For all the buccal patch formulations, the average weight, thickness, drug content, moisture content, moisture absorption, % swelling, surface pH study exhibited satisfactory results. Out of 7 different buccal patches, the formulation FA-1 revealed the highest mucoadhesive strength (31.36±0.95 g), the force of adhesion (0.31±0.04 N), maximum swelling index (341±0.83 %) and more than 24 h in vitro residence time. The buccal patch formulation FA-1 indicated highest drug permeation (97.51 %) in 24 h and was found to be stable. FT-IR examination confirms lack of drug polymer interaction. SEM investigation reveals a smooth surface of the buccal patch. Conclusion: The developed buccal patches comprising atenolol can be very promising in increasing patient compliance and reducing dosing frequency.