Orally Disintegrating Films Containing Propolis: Properties and Release Profile

The objective of this work was the production and characterization of orally disintegrating films of gelatin and hydrolyzed collagen containing the ethanol extract of propolis. The films were produced by casting with different concentrations of hydrolyzed collagen with and without the extract. The mechanical properties, mucoadhesive properties, swelling degree, in vitro release kinetics, stability of active compounds, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and antimicrobial activity of the films were evaluated. The films with the highest concentration of hydrolyzed collagen were less resistant and more elastic, and films containing the extract were more resistant than the control. In addition, the films with the extract showed higher mucoadhesion, which is important for ensuring the release of active compounds in the oral cavity. Generally, all formulations showed a high swelling capacity, which may have contributed to the quick release also demonstrated by the release kinetics model. Interactions between the extract compounds and the polymeric matrix were observed by FTIR spectroscopy, which may have contributed to an improvement in the mechanical properties. Films containing the extract had good stability and effective antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, which shows that these films can potentially be used to release active compounds in the oral mucosa.