Evaluation of selected polysaccharide excipients in buccoadhesive tablets for sustained release of nicotine

Some naturally occurring biocompatible materials were evaluated as mucoadhesive controlled release excipients for buccal drug delivery. A range of tablets were prepared containing 0-50% w/w xanthan gum, karaya gum, guar gum, and glycol chitosan and were tested for swelling, drug release, and mucoadhesion. Guar gum was a poor mucoadhesive and lacked sufficient physical integrity for buccal delivery. Karaya gum demonstrated superior adhesion to guar gum and was able to provide zero-order drug release, but concentrations greater than 50% w/w may be required to provide suitable sustained release. Xanthan gum showed strong adhesion to the mucosal membrane and the 50% w/w formulation produced zero-order drug release over 4 hours, about the normal time interval between daily meals. Glycol chitosan produced the strongest adhesion, but concentrations greater than 50% w/w are required to produce a nonerodible matrix that can control drug release for over 4 hours. Swelling properties of the tablets were found to be a valuable indicator of the ability of the material to produce sustained release. Swelling studies also gave an indication of the adhesion values of the gum material where adhesion was solely dependent upon penetration of the polymer chains into the mucus layer.