Title:Formulation Development, Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro-In Vivo Drug Release of Vaginal Films
Volume: 14
Issue: 4
Author(s): Kajal Ghosal, Bipad Taran Hazra, Benoy Brata Bhowmik and Sabu Thomas
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Abacavir, vaginal film, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, physicochemical parameter, in
vitro-in vivo release.
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was formulation and optimization of vaginal film
formulation containing abacavir (ABC), a potent nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
Methods: Vaginal films were prepared by solvent evaporation method using hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose (HPMC) blended with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). Various physicochemical
parameters of the prepared films such as drug content, thickness, tensile strength, percentage
elongation at break, drug polymer interaction, swelling capacity, folding endurance, bio-adhesion, pH, and moisture
content were evaluated with morphological studies. In vitro release study and in vivo release study were also performed.
Results: Films exhibited favorable physicochemical properties. The in vitro study showed that HPMC-PVP combination
can control the release of abacavir through vaginal films with higher amount of PVP in the formulation resulting in an
enhanced drug release rate. During the in vivo study in rabbits, systemic absorption of the drug was noted and the films
remained intact for long in vagina without causing any sort of irritations.
Conclusion: Thus, in a nutshell, the findings of our experimental work indicate that such films can be considered as a
novel drug carrier system for the treatment of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and are suitable for
local as well as systemic effects.
