Polyvinyl Alcohol-polyethylene Glycol Research Articles

Nitrofurazone‐loaded PVA–PEG semi‐IPN for application as hydrogel dressing for normal and burn wounds

AbstractHydrogels have been used in a wide variety of biomedical devises, particularly in the field of drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. In this study, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–polyethylene glycol (PEG) semi‐interpenetrating hydrogel network (IPN)‐based wound dressing system containing nitrofurazone (NFZ) was synthesized by chemical crosslinking technique. The introduction of PEG to PVA matrix led to reduction in the water vapor transmission rate, which in‐turn resulted in improved healing activity. Drug‐loaded IPNs were prepared by mixing aqueous solution of NFZ with the optimized PVA–PEG formulation subsequent to the crosslinking step. The in vitro diffusion studies of NFZ indicated a relatively slow release of drug resulting from its microencapsulation in the polymeric matrix. Subsequently, in vivo wound healing efficacy toward acute and burn wound healing in experimental rats was investigated. Semi‐IPN hydrogel loaded with NFZ dressing improved the overall healing rate in both acute and burn wounds, as evidenced by significant increase in total protein, hydroxyproline and hexosamine contents. Histological examinations also correlated well with the biochemical findings. A faster wound contraction was also observed in hydrogel treated acute and burn wounds. The results indicated that PVA–PEG semi‐IPN hydrogel based dressing systems containing NFZ could be used as an effective wound dressing material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

Floating Alginate Beads as Carriers for Self-Emulsifying System Containing Tetrahydrocurcumin

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), one of the curcumin metabolites, exhibits pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. However, the pharmacological effect of THC is limited due to its low aqueous solubility. Floating alginate beads containing self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) of THC were developed to increase drug solubility and prolong gastric residence time. Use of different weight proportions of sodium alginate (Na-alg.), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and water soluble pore former (Polyvinylalcohol-polyethylene glycol copolymer; Kollicoat® IR) in bead formulations had different effects on the floating abilities and in vitro rate of THC release. The release profile of the optimized THC-SEDDS floating alginate beads (D3) indicated a significant increase in the dissolution rate of THC and provided a controlled release of THC over an 8 h period in a simulated gastric fluid. The release of about 80% of THC from the optimized beads as an o/w microemulsion with a particle size of less than 50 nm, compared to only 30 % by an aqueous suspension from the unformulated THC could be considerable greater absorbed. The self-emulsifying floating alginate beads may provide a useful solid dosage form for oral delivery of THC and other hydrophobic compounds.

AC impedance and dielectric spectroscopic studies of Mg2 + ion conducting PVA–PEG blended polymer electrolytes

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–polyethylene glycol (PEG) based solid polymer blend electrolytes with magnesium nitrate have been prepared by the solution cast technique. Impedance spectroscopic technique has been used, to characterize these polymer electrolytes. Complex impedance analysis was used to calculate bulk resistance of the polymer electrolytes. The a.c.-impedance data reveal that the ionic conductivity of PVA–PEG–Mg(NO3)2 system is changed with the concentration of magnesium nitrate, maximum conductivity of 9·63 × 10 − 5 S/cm at room temperature was observed for the system of PVA–PEG–Mg(NO3)2 (35–35–30). However, ionic conductivity of the above system increased with the increase of temperature, and the highest conductivity of 1·71 × 10 − 3 S/cm was observed at 100°C. The effect of ionic conductivity of polymer blend electrolytes was measured by varying the temperature ranging from 303 to 373 K. The variation of imaginary and real parts of dielectric constant with frequency was studied.

Effect of water-soluble polymers on the physical stability of aqueous polymeric dispersions and their implications on the drug release from coated pellets

Purpose: To investigate the physical stability and drug release-related properties of the aqueous polymer dispersions Kollicoat® SR 30 D and Aquacoat® ECD (an ethylcellulose-based dispersion) in the presence water-soluble polymers (pore formers) with special attention to the potential flocculation of the polymer dispersions. Methods: A precise characterization of the flocculation phenomena in undiluted samples was monitored with turbidimetric measurements using the Turbiscan Lab-Expert. Theophylline or propranolol HCl drug-layered pellets were coated with Kollicoat® SR 30 D and Aquacoat® ECD by the addition of water-soluble polymers polyvinyl pyrrolidone (Kollidon® 30 and 90 F), polyvinyl alcohol–polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Kollicoat® IR), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Pharmacoat® 603 or 606) in a fluidized bed coater Glatt GPCG-1 and drug release was performed according to UPS paddle method. Results: Stable dispersions were obtained with both Kollicoat® SR 30 D (a polyvinyl acetate-based dispersion) and Aquacoat® ECD with up to 50% hydrophilic pore formers polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Kollicoat® IR) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (Kollidon® 30). In general, Kollicoat® SR 30 D was more stable against flocculation than Aquacoat® ECD. Stable dispersions were also obtained with higher amounts of water-soluble polymer or by reducing the concentration of the polymer dispersion. Flocculated dispersions resulted in porous films and, thus, in a sharp increase in drug release. Conclusions: Kollicoat® SR 30 D was more resistant to flocculation upon addition of water-soluble polymers than Aquacoat® ECD. The continuous adjustment of drug release from Kollicoat® SR 30-coated pellets was possible with Kollicoat® IR amounts over a broad range.

가바펜틴을 함유한 위체류성 정제의 제조 및 용출 평가

The objective of this investigation was to develop a gastro-retentive(GR) dosage form of gabapentin and was to evaluate of its dissolution characteristics. GR tablet consists of expandable core tablet matrix and semi-permeable membrane coating. Poloxamer 407 and sodium bicarbonate were used to prepare the core matrix. Polyvinly acetate dispersion (Kollicoat ) and polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol copolymer ((Kollicoat )) were employed to form the semi-permeable membrane. The GR tablets significantly expanded up to fivefold in simulated gastrointestinal fluids with no apparent damage of the coating membrane over 12 hours. Also, the swelling rate was controllable with the amount of sodium bicarbonate. The drug release was observed to be substantially sustained based on coating level. The release rate of gabapentin from the GR tablet was gradually slowed down as the coasting amount was increased. The gabapentin GR tablet with 8% coating level showed a pseudo-zero order release kinetics over 12 hours. These results suggest that this swellable GR tablet system having semi-permeable membrane coating can be applicable for hydrophilic drug substances like gabapentin.

New insight into modified release pellets – Internal structure and drug release mechanism

The aim of the study was to explore the drug release mechanism from pellets, coated with blends of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and polyvinyl alcohol–polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (PVA-PEG). Water influx and drug solubilization inside the pellets were investigated in correlation to drug release. The highly soluble drug Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) was used as a model compound. Modified release pellets were manufactured by fluid bed drug layering and film coating of starter beads. The pellets were characterized using cross section EDX mapping, confirming location and homogeneity of the different layers. A film coat of 23%, containing PVAc/PVA-PEG in 9:1 ratio, resulted in a sigmoid shaped release curve with 2 h lag-time, followed by 3 h of continuous drug release. Using NMR analysis, water influx and drug solubilization inside the pellets were detected within 20 min. Additionally, dissolution of PVA-PEG after several minutes and drug release after the lag-time were measurable. A fast water influx into PVAc/PVA-PEG film coated pellets did not result in a fast drug release. Despite a fast drug solubilization within the pellets, drug release was initiated after 2 h, suggesting a one way stream of water during the observed lag-time.

Mechanistic analysis of drug release from tablets with membrane controlled drug delivery

The objective of this study was to receive detailed information on the mechanism of drug release from polyvinyl acetate (PVAc)/polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (PVA-PEG) coated Propranolol HCl and Theophylline tablets. For this purpose the coating composition (PVAc/PVA-PEG: 90/10 and 80/20) and the amount of the coating layer have been varied. Due to its better solubility Propranolol HCl showed higher release rates than Theophylline. As expected, a higher percentage of the water soluble polymer accelerated drug release. Increased coating thickness led to amplified lag times of drug release. The water uptake of the tablets was quantified by gravimetric analysis. Furthermore, the microenvironment of the tablet core was monitored by EPR spectroscopy. For this purpose a hydrophilic EPR spin probe was incorporated into tablets. Surprisingly, despite a lag phase at the beginning and a controlled drug release over 24 h, the results of the EPR studies indicated an immediate water penetration through the coating layer into the tablet core. The water is able to solubilise the majority of water soluble compounds within minutes. The results obtained in this study demonstrate, that EPR is a powerful method to monitor the first steps of diffusion processes and the physicochemical state of coated dosage forms.

Optimization of the sintered density of aluminum oxide compacts

Effects of sintering time, peak temperature, heating rate, and binder system on the sintered density of alumina compacts were modeled using statistical methods. The traditional polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol (PVA/PEG) binder system produced more spherical spray dried granules and higher sintered densities than systems including hydroxyethylcellulose and 20,000 molecular weight PEG.