Chitosan derivative-doped carboxymethyl cellulose-based films with robust mechanical properties and short dissolution...

This study aimed to fabricate a type of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based films doped with hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HTCC) and N-lauric-O-carboxymethyl chitosan (LA-CMCh) to address the limitations of CMC films. The impacts of the HTCC and LA-CMCh contents on the properties of CMC-based films, including microstructure, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, thermal stability, swelling capacity, disintegration time, antibacterial activity, and in-vitro cytotoxicity, were explored. The CMC/HTCC_2%/LA-CMCh_10% film simultaneously exhibited the highest tensile strength (6.38 MPa), elongation at break (39.56 %), and the fastest dissolution time (44.56 s), meeting the key properties of orally disintegrating films (ODFs). The rheological properties of the film-forming solution were tested to explain the mechanism underlying the influence of HTCC and LA-CMCh on the properties of CMC-based films. Lomefloxacin hydrochloride was used as a model drug to evaluate the drug-releasing behavior of the films. The results showed a very rapid release rate within 10 min, including an anomalous transport-controlled process. The results indicated that CMC/HTCC_2%/LA-CMCh_10% film was a promising ODF candidate, offering improved mechanical properties and rapid disintegration, which could enhance patient compliance and drug delivery efficiency.