Development of Mucoadhesive Patches for Buccal Administration of Prochlorperazine: Evaluation of In Vitro Release and Mechanical Properties
The aim of this investigation was to develop and evaluate mucoadhesive buccal patches of prochlorperazine (PCPZ). Permeation of PCPZ was calculated in vitro using porcine buccal membrane. Buccal formulations were developed by solvent-casting technique using hydroxy propylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) as mucoadhesive polymer. The patches were evaluated for in vitro release, moisture absorption and mechanical properties. The optimized formulation, based on in vitro release and moisture absorption studies, was subjected for bioadhesion studies using porcine buccal membrane. In vitro flux of PCPZ was calculated to be 2.14 ± 0.01 µg. h–1.cm–2 and buccal absorption was also demonstrated in vivo in human volunteers. In vitro drug release and moisture absorbed was governed by HPMC content. Increasing concentration of HPMC delayed the drug release. All formulations followed Zero order release kinetics whereas the release pattern was non-Fickian. The mechanical properties, tensile strength (10.28 ± 2.27 kg mm–2 for formulation P3) and elongation at break reveal that the formulations were found to be strong but not brittle. The peak detachment force and work of adhesion for formulation P3 were 0.68 ± 0.15 N and 0.14 ± 0.08 mJ, respectively. The results indicate that suitable bioadhesive buccal patches of PCPZ with desired permeability and suitable mechanical properties could be prepared