Abstract
Background: Drug delivery via buccal mucosa offers distinct advantages over peroral administration. Plant gums and exudates are getting screened for their use as pharmaceutical adjuvant. The aim of this study is to investigate the suitability of the Plantago major seed mucilage as a mucoadhesive agent, and propranolol hydrochloride is chosen as a model drug. Methods: Mucoadhesive tablets of propranolol were formulated using four mucoadhesive polymers namely Carbopol 934P, HPMC K4M, Tragacanth and plantago major mucilage. The swelling, erosion, mucoadhesive force and in vitro drug release were studied. Results: Maximum bioadhesive strength was observed with Carbopol 934P and the lowest bioadhesive strength was seen with tragacanth. The results also showed that bioadhesive stenght increased with increase in the concentration of polymers. As the concentration of polymers increased from 40 mg to 160 mg per tablet, initial drug release as well as drug release in the latter hours was decreased. The lowest release rate was observed with formulation F6 containing Carbopol 934P and the highest release rate was observed with formulation F7 containing tragacanth. Formulations that contain carbopol 934P showed highest bioadhesive force. Also the bioadhesion force increased as the polymer concentration increased. The highest and lowest percent of swelling were observed with F2 and F8, respectively. The kinetic of drug release have changed by increase in amount of mucilage. Conclusions: The mucilage of Plantago major can be used as bioadhesive polymer in bioadhesive formulations.