Technological development of mucoadhesive film containing poloxamer 407, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone for buccal metronidazole delivery.

This work aimed to develop a mucoadhesive film composed of a triblock copolymer (poloxamer 407), polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone for buccal modified delivery of metronidazole. Three film formulations containing different polymer amounts were prepared by solvent casting. They were characterized as physicochemical, mechanical and mucoadhesive properties, and metronidazole release profiles. Films displayed physicochemical, mechanical and mucoadhesive characteristics dependent of polymeric composition and drug presence. They could rapidly swell and promote the fast drug release (80% in 20 min) that was governed by Fickian diffusion. The films showed total disintegration in less than 90 s and total drug release in 30 min. Therefore, the formulations represent a promising alternative for modifying of buccal metronidazole delivery for pharmaceutical applications.