Optimization and evaluation of mucoadhesive buccal films loaded with resveratrol

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin from grapes, has shown several therapeutic benefits such as anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects. There is a need to develop novel methods for delivery of resveratrol since it poses problems such as high first pass metabolism and therefore low oral bioavailability. Drug delivery through buccal mucosa offers novel approach in circumventing hepatic metabolism and providing controlled drug release with a wide scope for application for local or systemic deliveries. The present investigation deals with optimization and evaluation of mucoadhesive buccal films of resveratrol. The mucoadhesive buccal films of resveratrol were prepared by solvent casting method using polymer Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and Ethyl cellulose (EC). Optimization was achieved using 3(2) full factorial design whereby the effect of HPC (X-1) and EC (X-2) concentrations on mucoadhesive strength (Y-1), swelling (Y-2) and in vitro drug release (Y-3) profile were analyzed. The resulting films were characterized for weight uniformity, thickness, folding endurance, drug content, surface pH, swelling, mucoadhesive strength and in vitro drug release. The optimized formulation comprised of 2% (w/v) HPC and 1% (w/v) EC, exhibited satisfactory mucodhesive strength, swelling and optimum drug release upto 8 h. Histopathology of buccal mucosa treated with optimized buccal films exhibited no signs of mucosal damage.