Alginate-magnesium aluminum silicate films: Effect of plasticizers on film properties, drug permeation and drug release from coated tablets

The effect of hydrophilic plasticizers, namely glycerin and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400), on physicochemical properties of sodium alginate-magnesium aluminum silicate (SA-MAS) microcomposite films was characterized and application of the films for controlling drug release from tablets was evaluated as well. The plasticizers could possibly interact with SA or MAS by formation of hydrogen bonding, as revealed using FTIR spectroscopy. PXRD studies presented that glycerin or PEG400 could intercalate into the silicate layers of MAS and higher crystallinity of the films with PEG400 was obtained. This led to a different thermal behavior of the films. Glycerin gave more flexibility of the films than PEG400. Incorporation of plasticizers into the films did not affect water uptake in acid medium, but increasing an erosion of the films because of the leaching of the plasticizers. Water vapor permeability of the films decreased with increasing amount of plasticizers in the range of 10–30% (w/w). Diffusion coefficient (D) of acetaminophen (ACT) across the films in acid medium increased with addition of the plasticizers because the leaching of plasticizers could reduce tortuosity of aqueous pore channels of the films. The tablets coated with plasticized films had a quite smooth surface without defect as shown by SEM. The ACT release profiles from the coated tablets showed a zero-order release kinetic with drug diffusion mechanism across in situ insoluble composite films in acid medium, and coating film swelling and erosion mechanism in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer. Moreover, neither the release rate nor the release pattern of the ACT coated tablets was obviously changed. The findings show that glycerin or PEG400 could improve physicochemical properties of the SA-MAS films and the plasticized films could control the drug release from tablets in gastro-intestinal condition.