Abstract:
Objective: To formulate and evaluate the application of PEGylated mucin in oral bioadhesive drug (OBD) delivery system.
Methods: The bioadhesive strength of different formulation ratios of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and mucin was evaluated by tensiometry. Co polymer matrices containing mucin and PEG (PEGylated mucin) in the following ratios 1:1 (A), 2:1 (B), 1:2 (C), 0:1 (D) and 1:0 (E) were prepared by co-precipitation. Microparticles were prepared from the matrices using a size reduction technique. Five different samples were prepared using different mixtures in the appropriate solvents having mucin and PEG ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, 0:1, 1:0 and labelled as (A-E). The matrices were evaluated for their flow properties and the in-vitro bioadhesion characteristics of the samples were examined.
Results: The range of flow rates of the matrices was 1.35-2.23 g/sec. The angle of repose was in the range of 37.3-39.9 degree. The bulk and tapped densities were within the ranges of 0.41-0.49. The Hausner's quotient (HQ) were 1.12, 1.24, 1.14, 1.25 and 1.2 for matrix batches A-E respectively. The bioadhesive strength of polymer matrices appeared to be directly related to the amount of mucin. The order of bioadhesive strength is 2:1 > 1:1 > 1:0 > 1:2 > 0:1 of PEG: mucin in both simulated intestine fluid (SIF) and simulated gastrointestinal fluid (SGF). The physical properties of the micrometrics properties of the matrices were within the accepted values.
Conclusion: OBD preparation containing PEGylated mucin can be prepared by direct compression and be used in drug delivery to the oral cavity.
