Development of Lornoxicam-Loaded Mucoadhesive Buccal Films Using Biopolymer Blends for Sustained Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Abstract

The current investigation aimed to formulate and assess LRN-loaded mucoadhesive buccal films utilising biopolymer blends for sustained anti-inflammatory effect. LRN was selected as a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, while chitosan and pullulan were used as functional biopolymers. Chitosan served as the mucoadhesive and release-controlling polymer, and pullulan acted as the primary film-forming polymer. Glycerol was utilised as plasticizer, and the films were prepared by solvent casting technique. Seven formulations, LBF1 to LBF7, were developed by varying chitosan and pullulan concentrations. The films that were developed underwent a thorough evaluation, focusing on various parameters such as appearance, thickness, weight variation, folding endurance, surface pH, moisture content, and swelling index, mucoadhesive residence time, drug content, content uniformity, in vitro drug release, release kinetics as well as stability. All formulations demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties. Drug content varied from 96.72 ± 1.18% to 99.08 ± 1.02%. LBF5 was selected as the optimized formulation due to good flexibility, suitable surface pH, controlled swelling, adequate mucoadhesion and sustained drug release of 86.72 ± 3.84% at 8 h. Stability studies confirmed acceptable stability of the optimized formulation.