A buccoadhesive disc as a novel drug delivery system of tenoxicam: formulation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation

Tenoxicam (TX) solid dispersions (SDs) with hydrophilic carriers, prepared by solvent evaporation method, were characterized for their saturation solubility, dissolution rate, DSC, and X-ray diffraction patterns. TX-Nicotinamide SD (1:4) was selected to prepare seventeen buccoadhesive discs containing adhesive polymers namely, sodium alginate, chitosan, guar gum, HPMC K4M, or Carbopol 934. All discs were characterized for in vitro release, mucoadhesion, and swelling index. A selected disc was characterized for disc hydration, ex vivo permeation, anti-microbial activity, and bioavailability. All SDs showed increase in TX solubility. Permeation studies revealed that TX could permeate easily with a steady state flux of 1.738 mg/cm2.h. The percentage relative bioavailability compared to oral Tenocam tablet was found to be 127 % with a significant difference regarding all pharmacokinetic parameters. . The results suggest that the selected buccoadhesive disc showed a higher dissolution rate, a faster onset of action, and improved bioavailability accompanied with buccal anti-microbial activity.