Pressure-sensitive mucoadhesive polymer-based dental patches to treat periodontal diseases: an in vitro study.

Local drug delivery for periodontal diseases is still a challenge due to very short residence time, involuntary swallowing and salivary wash-out. Present study is, therefore, an attempt to develop pressure-sensitive adhesive polymers-based mucoadhesive dental patches to ensure satisfactory prolonged release of drugs, to treat periodontal diseases locally. Polymers such as duro-tak(R) 387-2516 and duro-tak(R) 387, ethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol along with drugs amoxicillin trihydrate and diclofenac sodium were used to develop the experimental patches. The patches were characterized for mass variation, thickness, area, moisture-content and moisture-uptake, folding endurance, structural integrity in simulated saliva, bioadhesive strength, surface pH, scanning electron microscopy, cellular morphology, in vitro drug release and temperature-dependant stability study as per ICH guideline. Incorporation of release enhancers in the patches improved drug release. Drugs released in a sustained manner due to the formation of physical bonds between the polymers (as assessed by FTIR study) which might alter the length of drug diffusion pathways. The formulation F3 with tween 80 as release enhancer provided best drug release profile over the period of 8 h, thus it could be a successful attempt for the management of oral pathogens and dental pain.