DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF DENTAL FILMS CONTAINING AN ANTIBACTERIAL AGENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF PERIODONTITIS

Objective: The present study aims at the development and evaluation of controlled release dental films containing metronidazole in a carrier which consists of a common non-biodegradable polymer and various co-polymers in different concentrations for targeted delivery of drug and thus prolonging the action.Methods: Solvent casting method is adopted. Nine formulations were prepared with ethyl cellulose as the main polymer and co-polymers like PVPK30, HPMC K4M, Eudragit RS 100 in 3 concentrations (10, 20, 30%w/w of ethyl cellulose). Ethyl cellulose and co-polymers were dissolved in the solvent system, containing ethanol, chloroform and dichloromethane. Drug was dissolved in this mixture and mixed homogeneously and films were casted. These films were evaluated for thickness & content uniformity, swelling index, percentage moisture loss, in vitro drug release studies.Results: The best film was selected as the one which is prepared with ethyl cellulose and eudragitRS100 (20%w/w of ethyl cellulose) ie F8 since it can release the drug above MIC in each day of treatment and having sufficient drug content and other required characteristics. This formulation undergoes zero order release kinetics and non-Fickian diffusion mechanism.Conclusion: Ethyl cellulose - eudragit RS100 (20%w/w of EC) combination is the best carrier among the others for the preparation of metronidazole dental film for prolonging the drug action up to 10 days. Â