Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Films Research Articles

Multifunctional composite flexible films of hydroxypropyl cellulose and silver nanowires

Flexible wearable devices have aroused attentions since the booming flexible electronic technologies, as well as the requirements for improved comfortableness and real-time monitoring for complex motion state of human body. Developing a flexible integrated wearable device with multi functions provides a promising route for next-generation wearable devices. Meanwhile, transparency and biocompatibility are also considered a lot. Herein, hydroxypropyl cellulose/silver nanowires (HPC/AgNWs) flexible composite films were fabricated with a facile two-step method. The fabricated composite films exhibited sufficient transparency and mechanical strength. More importantly, the HPC/AgNWs composite films afforded good motion sensing performances with current sensitivity as high as 350 %. It can accurately identify different bending angles and frequencies, and remained stable for more than 1000 bending cycles. Apart from being employed as motion sensors, the fabricated HPC/AgNWs could be also used for electrical heating and electromagnetic shielding. The films could be heated to more than 60°C at 3.0 V in 57 seconds, and the electromagnetic shielding efficiency reached more than 99.9 %. This study contributed a feasible strategy for the preparation of multifunctional flexible films which are expected to be further applicated in the field of wearable devices.

HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE-CARBOPOL AND HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE -NOVEON COMPOSITE MOUTH DISSOLVING FILMS OF AMBROXOL HYDROCHLORIDE

Ambroxol hydrochloride is a choice of drug in acute and chronic lung infections. In the COVID-19 situation, ambroxol played a crucial role in treating bronchitis and potentiating, the effect of antibiotics in lung infections. In the present study, a patient-friendly drug delivery system of ambroxol hydrochloride was prepared by solvent casting method to produce better mechanical strength in the film. To impart better mechanical strength without affecting disintegration and dissolution, composite films of hydroxypropyl cellulose - Carbopol-981NF and hydroxypropyl cellulose – Noveon-AA1 were developed and evaluated. Nine formulations were prepared using varying levels of film formers. The evaluated film formulations were in folding endurance range 32±2.00 to 92±8.05, tensile strength range 27.51±1.22 to 130.32± 0.98 g cm-2, % elongation range 14.12±0.32 to 26.54±0.08 and disintegration time range 54±1.42 to 114±1.52 seconds, and more than 90% drug dissolution occurred within 5 min. All the prepared formulations showed compatibility between ambroxol hydrochloride and ingredients of film.

Effect of Plasticizer Concentration on the Properties of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (HPC) Film Enhanced with Sodium Dehydroacetate

Effect of Plasticizer Concentration on the Properties of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (HPC) Film Enhanced with Sodium Dehydroacetate

Roughness Study of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Film Surface Loaded with Cinnamaldehyde/Lauric Arginate by Atomic Force Microscopy

In this work, atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was used to study the microstructure properties of hydroxypropylcellulose/ cinnamaldehyde (CDH) composite biofilm. The solution was emulsified by cationic surfactant, lauric arginate (LAE). Zetasizer analysis found that the addition of CDH-emulsified LAE increased the zeta potential of HPC-based solution from -1.31 to 10.47 (mV). Furthermore, the increasing trend was showed by the roughness of surface properties. AFM analysis revealed that the arithmetical mean deviation from the mean (Ra) and root mean square deviation from the mean (Rq) of HPC film surface enhanced by 1.7 nm and 3.63 nm respectively as addition of CDH-emulsified LAE. Any deformation in the surface properties of the biofilm might affect its barrier properties such as water resistance and light transmission.

Atomic force microscopy study of surface microstructure properties of hydroxypropylcellulose/cinnamaldehyde composite biofilm

This study used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to examine the microstructure properties of a composite biofilm made of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and cinnamaldehyde (CDH). The zeta potential of the HPC-based solution was found to decrease from -1.31 to - 3.24 (mV) with the addition of CDH-emulsified CDH, according to Zetasizer analysis. Additionally, the roughness of the surface properties showed an increasing trend. AFM analysis indicated that the surface roughness of the HPC film increased by 1.31 and 4.01 nm in terms of arithmetical mean deviation from the mean (Ra) and root mean square deviation from the mean (Rq), respectively, with the addition of CDH-emulsified CDH. Changes in the surface properties of the biofilm could affect its barrier properties, such as water resistance and light transmission.

Augmented Glutathione Absorption from Oral Mucosa and its Effect on Skin Pigmentation: A Clinical Review.

Treatment of dark skin with glutathione has become popular due to its depigmenting properties and low toxicity. Glutathione has been used topically, orally and parenterally in the management of dark skin. There are no clear published guidelines for management of skin pigmentation despite some clinical trials of shorter duration and small sample sizes. We examined published scientific and patient data to generate guidance for the clinician for managing hyperpigmentation using glutathione by orobuccal route. Various aspects of glutathione bioavailability were examined when administered by oral routes. Absorption of glutathione from the gastrointestinal tract is poor. Some trials have favored administering high oral doses to achieve therapeutic effect. General consensus remains against treatment of hyperpigmentation with glutathione by the oral route. Clinical and experimental evidence supporting significant glutathione absorption from orobuccal mucosa was examined. The latter is superior to the oral route since glutathione passes directly into systemic circulation resulting in a much higher rate of absorption compared to that achieved by oral intake. High blood levels thus achieved have therapeutic value. Treatment of hyperpigmentation with glutathione by the orobuccal route using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) film was reviewed to formulate clinical guidance from published data. A future randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial should study treatment of hyperpigmentation with glutathione using oral dispersible HPC film, with longer-term follow-up and larger sample size. This paper will hopefully offer broad guidance for the clinician on use of glutathione for hyperpigmentation management, until outcomes of larger, longer duration trials become available.

Preparation and characterization of some cellulose derivatives nanocomposite films

One of the most studied biocomponents is cellulose and its derivatives. Chemical structures of the nanocomposite films were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses. In the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images taken at 5000 x magnification, the films with the best dispersion of nano-reinforcements; are amine modified nano SiO2 doped 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (2-HEC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) films. SiO2 dispersion has not been homogeneous in neutral nano SiO2 doped HPC and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films. On the other hand, in the amine modified nano SiO2 doped HPMC film, micron-size agglomerations were observed on the film surface. When the thermal resistance of the films was examined, it was determined that the amine modified nano SiO2 doped HPMC film was the highest at 344 °C. When stress-strain values were compared, amine modified nano SiO2 doped HPMC film was the best film sample with a strain value of 101.7 %.

A mucoadhesive biodissolvable thin film for localized and rapid delivery of lidocaine for the treatment of vestibulodynia

Vestibulodynia (VBD), an idiopathic pain disorder characterized by erythema and pain of the vulvar vestibule (the inner aspect of the labia minora and vaginal opening), is the most common cause of sexual pain for women of reproductive age. Women also feel discomfort with contact with clothing and tampon use. As most women with this disorder only have pain with provocation of the tissue, topical anesthetics applied to the vestibule are the current first line treatment for temporary pain relief. Treatment options are limited due to anatomical constraints of the vestibular region, poor drug retention time, imprecise dosing, leakage, and overall product messiness. In this study we report a novel approach to treatment of VBD using thin film designed to fit the vulvar vestibule and deliver lidocaine locally. Two use cases for VBD treatment were identified 1) rapid drug release (<5 min), for use prior to intercourse and 2) long-acting release (≥120 min) for prolonged use and relief throughout the day. Cellulose-based mucoadhesive thin films were fabricated using a solvent casting method. Three polymers including hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), and hydroxypropylmethycellulose (HMPC), were selected owing to their biocompatibility and ideal properties for film casting. Films casted with HEC, HPC, and HPMC exhibited mucoadhesive properties relative to a control, with the highest mucoadhesive force recorded for films casted with HPC. Effect of media volume, pH, presence of mucin and presence of drug on film dissolution rates were investigated. Dissolution rates were independent of media volume, media pH or drug presence, whereas faster dissolution rates were obtained for all films in presence of mucin. In vitro lidocaine release kinetics were influenced by polymer type, percent drug loading and film casting thickness. Lidocaine release was based on a diffusion mechanism rather than through film dissolution and faster release (∼5 min) was observed for HEC films compared HPC films (∼120 min). Higher drug loading and film thickness resulted in slower and more prolonged release kinetics of lidocaine. All films were biocompatible and exhibited good mechanical properties. Two film formulations (9% w/w HPC with 12% w/w LHC, 5% w/w HEC with 6% w/w LHC) were optimized to meet the two use case scenarios for VBD treatment and moved into in vivo testing. In vivo testing demonstrated the safety of the films in BALB/c mice, and the pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated the delivery of lidocaine primarily to the vaginal tissue. We demonstrate the ability to develop a mucoadhesive, biodissolvable thin film and fine-tune drug release kinetics to optimize local delivery of lidocaine to the vulva.

Hydroxypropylcellulose-based liquid crystal materials

Hydroxypropyl cellulose is regarded distinctive cellulose derivative due to its unique properties and could display a lyotropic cholesteric liquid-crystalline phase in a variety solvents. This work deals with studying the role of cellulose- and carbon-based nanoparticles on liquid crystal performance of modified hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) in lyotropic suspension and nanocomposite films in a comparison study. The lyotropic suspension of HPC and HPC-nanocomposites were characterized by rheological study and optical properties. The Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray Diffractometry (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical properties were the techniques used to characterize the nanocomposite films. The results showed that, introducing the cellulose and carbon nanoparticles lowered the critical concentration of lyotropic suspension of HPC from 30 wt.% to 26–28 wt.% and earlier appearance of anisotropic phases was occurred which evidenced by the rheological curves and optical properties. The FTIR, XRD and TGA of nanocomposite films showed no change in backbone chemical structure of HPC but the incorporation of nanoparticles, especially cellulose-based NPs, enhanced the crystallinity, thermal stability behaviour and mechanical properties. The behaviour of carbon-NPs in HPC film was unaccepted, where it deteriorated the mechanical properties. The nanocomposite films displayed good fingerprint texture (especially with cellulose nanocrystals) with moderated defined morphologies that promote the liquid crystal nanocomposite development.

Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Films Filled with Halloysite Nanotubes/Wax Hybrid Microspheres

The design of novel nanocomposite films based on hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and wax/halloysite hybrid microspheres has been reported. In particular, we first prepared wax/clay Pickering emulsion...

3D high spatial resolution visualisation and quantification of interconnectivity in polymer films.

A porous network acts as transport paths for drugs through films for controlled drug release. The interconnectivity of the network strongly influences the transport properties. It is therefore important to quantify the interconnectivity and correlate it to transport properties for control and design of new films. This work presents a novel method for 3D visualisation and analysis of interconnectivity. High spatial resolution 3D data on porous polymer films for controlled drug release has been acquired using a focused ion beam (FIB) combined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The data analysis method enables visualisation of pore paths starting at a chosen inlet pore, dividing them into groups by length, enabling a more detailed quantification and visualisation. The method also enables identification of central features of the porous network by quantification of channels where pore paths coincide. The method was applied to FIB-SEM data of three leached ethyl cellulose (EC)/hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) films with different weight percentages. The results from the analysis were consistent with the experimentally measured release properties of the films. The interconnectivity and porosity increase with increasing amount of HPC. The bottleneck effect was strong in the leached film with lowest porosity.

The Formation and Elasticity of a Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Film at a Water–Air Interface

The kinetics of spreading of aqueous hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) solutions with different concentrations over a water surface and the rheological properties of films formed at the water–air interface have been studied. The performed experiments are distinguished by the fact that the solvent in the polymer solutions is identical to the liquid subphase, while, beginning from a certain concentration, the aqueous HPC solutions are capable of forming a liquid-crystalline phase. The chosen initial polymer solution concentrations correspond to different regions of the phase diagram for the HPC–water system. The contact of a solution droplet with water yields a time-stable spot of an HPC solution layer. In spite of the fact that some solution concentrations correspond to the existence range of a lyotropic liquid-crystalline phase, an isotropic layer is formed on the water surface irrespective of the concentration and phase state of the solution in the droplet. The dynamic dilatational storage modulus of such an interfacial layer at a frequency of 0.03 Hz is equal to 43 ± 2 mN/m; i.e., it almost coincides with the surface tension of the formed interfacial layer.

Graphene Oxide-IPDI-Ag/ZnO@Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Nanocomposite Films for Biological Wound-Dressing Applications.

In this work, we proposed a feasible approach to prepare multifunctional composite films by introducing a nanoscaled filler into a polymer matrix. Specifically, thanks to isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) acting as a coupling agent, the hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) and the hydroxyl groups on the surface of silver-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag/ZnO) are covalently grafted, forming GO–IPDI–Ag/ZnO (AGO). The prepared AGO was then introduced into the hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) matrix to form AGO@HPC nanocomposite films by solution blending. AGO@HPC nanocomposite films exhibited improved mechanical, anti-ultraviolet, and antibacterial properties. Specifically, a tensile test showed that the tensile strength of the prepared AGO@HPC nanocomposite film with the addition of as low as 0.5 wt % AGO was increased by about 16.2% compared with that of the pure HPC film. In addition, AGO@HPC nanocomposite films showed a strong ultraviolet resistance and could effectively inactivate both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria at a low loading of AGO, and rapid sterilization plays a crucial role in wound-healing. In vivo results show that the AGO@HPC release of Ag+ and Zn2+ stimulates the immune function to produce a large number of white blood cells and neutrophils, thereby producing the synergistic antibacterial effects and accelerated wound-healing. Therefore, our results suggest that these novel AGO@HPC nanocomposite films with improved mechanical, anti-ultraviolet, and antibacterial properties could be promising candidates for antibacterial packaging, biological wound-dressing, etc. The abuse of antibiotics has brought about serious drug-resistant bacteria, and our nanofilm antibacterial does not entail such problems. In addition, local administration reduces the possibility of changing the body’s immune system and organ toxicity, which greatly increases the safety.

Sorption properties of the hydroxypropylcellulose and ethylcellulose films, formed from mixed solvents in the magnetic field

Diffusion properties and structure of the hydroxypropyl- and ethylcellulose films, formed from mixed solvents in the magnetic field and in its absence, have been studied with sorbtion method and polarized microscopy. It was found the change of the diffusion coefficients of solvents into the films, obtained under the influence of the magnetic field.

Sorption Properties of Hydroxypropyl Celluose and Ethyl Cellulose Films Obtained from Mixed Solvents in a Magnetic Field

The diffusion properties and the structure of hydroxypropyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose films obtained from mixed solvents in a magnetic field and in its absence were studied using a sorption method and the method of polarization microscopy. A change was found in the diffusion coefficients of solvents in films, obtained under the influence of a magnetic field.

Polymer Distribution and Mechanism Conversion in Multiple Media of Phase-Separated Controlled-Release Film-Coating.

Phase-separated films of water-insoluble ethyl cellulose (EC) and water-soluble hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) can be utilized to tailor drug release from coated pellets. In the present study, the effects of HPC levels and the pH, type, ionic strength and osmolarity of the media on the release profiles of soluble metoprolol succinates from the EC/HPC-coated pellets were investigated, and the differences in drug-release kinetics in multiple media were further elucidated through the HPC leaching and swelling kinetics of the pellets, morphology (SEM) and water uptake of the free films and the interaction between the coating polymers and the media compositions. Interestingly, the drug release rate from the pellets in different media was not in agreement with the drug solubility which have a positive correlation with the drug dissolution rate based on Noyes–Whitney equation law. In particular, the drug release rate in acetate buffer at pH 4.5 was faster than that in other media despite the solubility of drug was relatively lower, regardless of the HPC levels. It may be attributed to the mutual effect between the EC and acetate buffer, which improved the permeability of the film. In contrast, the release of drug in HCl solution was dependent on the HPC levels. Increasing the levels of HPC increased the effects of hydrogen ions on the polymer of HPC, which resulted in a lower viscosity and strength of the gel, forming the larger size of pores in polymer films, thus increasing the drug diffused from the coating film. Further findings in phosphate buffer showed a reduction in the drug release compared to that in other media, which was only sensitive to the osmolarity rather than the HPC level and pH of the buffer. Additionally, a mathematical theory was used to better explain and understand the experimentally measured different drug release patterns. In summary, the study revealed that the effects of the media overcompensated that of the drug solubility to some extent for controlled-release of the coating polymers, and the drug release mechanism in multiple media depend on EC and HPC rather than on HPC alone, which may have a potential to facilitate the optimization of ideally film-coated formulations.

Anisotropic nanocomposite films of hydroxypropylcellulose and graphene oxide with multi-responsiveness.

Anisotropic nanocomposite films of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated by blade-coating of the aqueous mixture to align the substance and subsequent solvent evaporation to freeze the oriented structure. Owing to the anisotropic structure, the composite films showed anisotropic mechanical properties and response to external stimuli. The influences of GO content, stretch rate, and relative humidity on the anisotropic structure and mechanical properties of the films were investigated. The incorporation of GO did not destroy the anisotropic structure of the HPC film, but improved the mechanical properties to some extent and favoured the bending deformation and locomotion of the composite film under the humidity gradient. These behaviours were associated with the large aspect ratio and excellent gas barrier property of GO nanosheets that favoured suppressing the slippage of HPC chains and enhanced the differential volume change at the top and bottom surfaces of the film. The composite HPC film with GO or reduced GO also responded to near-infrared light due to the photothermal effect and the variation of HPC matrix at a high temperature. This facile strategy should be applicable to other natural or synthetic polymers to fabricate anisotropic composite films with potential applications as optical devices, sensors, and actuators.

Properties of Composite Films of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose and Hydroxypropyl Cellulose with Poly-N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide

Composite films have been obtained from mixtures of hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose aqueous solutions with poly-N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide. The structural organization of composite films has been studied by dynamic mechanical analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis, and the composition ranges where cellulose ethers are compatible with synthetic polyamide and form mixed structural formations have been determined. The values of the solubility parameter and the surface energy of polymers have been compared with their compatibility in the solid state.

Formulation design of hydroxypropyl cellulose films for use as orally disintegrating dosage forms

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a water-soluble polymer used as a binder during pharmaceutical tableting and granulation. HPC is also known as a base material for pharmaceutical film by virtue of its film formability with excellent plasticity.The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of HPC to orally disintegrating film (ODF) and to investigate optimization of the ODF formulation of HPC. The effects of the molecular weight of HPC and the addition of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients on the properties of ODFs prepared using HPC were evaluated. The results showed that a suitable grade of HPC as a base material for ODFs should be used in a suitable concentration in solution. The results also clarified that the disintegration time markedly decreased as the thickness of HPC films decreased. These properties could be controlled by adjusting the ingredients added to the formulation. While loading the film with ibuprofen prolonged the disintegration time, adding calcium carbonate particles to the film shortened it. These results demonstrated that HPC can be used as a base material for ODF applications.

New insights on the influence of manufacturing conditions and molecular weight on phase-separated films intended for controlled release

The aim of this work was to investigate how manufacturing conditions influence phase-separated films of ethyl cellulose (EC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) with different molecular weights of HPC. Two HPC grades, SSL and M, with weight average molecular weights (Mw) of 30×103g/mol and 365×103g/mol, respectively, were combined with EC 10 cps (70:30w/w EC/HPC) and spray-coated from ethanol solutions onto a rotating drum under well-controlled process conditions. Generally, a low spray rate resulted in a more rapid film drying process and, consequently, in smaller HPC-rich domains in the phase-separated film structure. For EC/HPC films with the low Mw HPC (SSL) the most rapid drying process resulted in a shift from a HPC-discontinuous to a partly bicontinuous structure and an increase in the permeability for water. In contrast, films containing the high Mw HPC (M) all showed bicontinuous structures, which resulted in overall higher water permeabilities and polymer release compared to the low Mw films. Interestingly, a maximum in permeability was observed for the high Mw films at intermediate spray rates. Below this spray rate the permeability decreased due to a lower amount of polymer released and at higher spray rates, the permeability decreased due to a loss of pore connectivity (or increased tortuosity). To conclude, this study shows that different Mw systems of EC/HPC can respond differently to variations in manufacturing conditions.