MUCOADHESIVE BUCCAL PATCHES OF LORNOXICAM: I- DEVELOPMENT AND IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION

Lornoxicam as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) has the same side effects of this group if taken orally (GIT, renal, and hepatic disorders). Lornoxicam and its metabolites bind extensively to plasma albumin (99%), beside that, it has a relatively short half-life (3 to 5 hrs). The drug was formulated in mucoadhesive buccal patches using different polymers including, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), gelatin, sodium alginate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na CMC). The physical characteristics of the formulated patches as mass uniformity, patch thickness, surface pH, folding endurance, swelling, residence time as well as mucoadhesion (in-vitro and ex-vivo mucoadhesion force) were evaluated. The in-vitro release of the drug from the formulated patches was studied using the USP dissolution apparatus, and the results indicated that HEC, HPC and chitosan showed the lowest drug release (70%, 76%, and 81%, respectively) while gelatin, sodium alginate and Na CMC gave the highest release (nearly 100%). Permeation of lornoxicam formulated in different patches through rabbit buccal mucosa was also studied and the results showed that gelatin and chitosan patches resulted in the highest drug permeation. Kinetics of drug release from the different patches was found to follow zero order or diffusion kinetics.