Synthesis and evaluation of rosin-based polymers as film coating materials

Rosin-based polymers (R-1 and R-2) were synthesized and characterized for physicochemical properties, molecular weight (Mw), polydispersity (Mw/Mn), glass transition temperature (Tg), and thermogravimetry (TGA). Films of the polymers were cast on a mercury substrate by solvent evaporation technique. Free films were characterized for surface topography by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), tensile strength, percentage elongation, and modulus of elasticity. The polymers were further evaluated as film coating materials by evaluating drug release from coated pellets with diclofenac sodium as a model drug. Drug was loaded on non-pareil seeds by a solution-layering technique and coated with varying concentrations of polymer solutions. Sustained release of the drug was observed from coated pellets. The newly synthesized rosin-based polymers promise considerable utility for pharmaceutical coating.