Author(s):
Lata Choudhary, Satish Sahu, Mohammad Akhtar Rasool, Arin Bhattacharya, Suman Kumar Rathore, Rishikesh
Email(s):
drsksahu11@gmail.com , sumanpharm123@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/0975-4377.2026.00042
Address:
Lata Choudhary1, Satish Sahu3, Mohammad Akhtar Rasool3, Arin Bhattacharya4, Suman Kumar Rathore5*, Rishikesh6
1,2,4,5,6J.K. College of Pharmacy, Near Gatora Railway Station, Bilaspur (C.G.) India.
3Tagore Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Sakri, Bilaspur (C.G.), India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 18,
Issue - 4,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Buccal bioadhesive films are increasingly investigated as patient-friendly orotransmucosal dosage forms for drugs that undergo extensive first-pass metabolism after oral administration. This paper presents a formulation-oriented research design for propranolol hydrochloride as a model first-pass metabolized drug. The objective is to develop thin, flexible and mucoadhesive films capable of sustaining drug release, prolonging residence time on the buccal mucosa and improving systemic bioavailability by avoiding portal hepatic metabolism. The proposed films are prepared by solvent casting using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Carbopol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol 400 and menthol as functional excipients. The paper discusses preformulation studies, compatibility assessment, formulation composition, film evaluation parameters, in vitro release, ex vivo permeation, mucoadhesion, stability and pharmacokinetic assessment. Expected results indicate that optimized polymer ratios can produce uniform films with acceptable surface pH, high folding endurance, controlled swelling, sustained release over eight hours and improved permeation flux. The discussion emphasizes the relationship between polymer hydration, adhesion, mechanical strength, drug diffusion and mucosal permeability. The findings support buccal bioadhesive films as a promising alternative to conventional oral dosage forms for drugs limited by hepatic first-pass metabolism, while also highlighting the need for safety, stability, palatability and clinical validation before translation.
Cite this article:
Lata Choudhary, Satish Sahu, Mohammad Akhtar Rasool, Arin Bhattacharya, Suman Kumar Rathore, Rishikesh. Design and Evaluation of Buccal Bioadhesive Films for Improved Bioavailability of a First-Pass Metabolized Drug. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Technology. 2026; 18(4):305-0. doi: 10.52711/0975-4377.2026.00042
Cite(Electronic):
Lata Choudhary, Satish Sahu, Mohammad Akhtar Rasool, Arin Bhattacharya, Suman Kumar Rathore, Rishikesh. Design and Evaluation of Buccal Bioadhesive Films for Improved Bioavailability of a First-Pass Metabolized Drug. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Technology. 2026; 18(4):305-0. doi: 10.52711/0975-4377.2026.00042 Available on: https://rjpdft.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-18-4-4
REFERENCES:
1. United States Pharmacopeial Convention. (2023). United States pharmacopeia and national formulary. USP.
2. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission. (2022). Indian pharmacopoeia. Government of India.
3. Chen, J., Cyr, G. N., and Rogers, J. A. Flexible and stretchable electronic systems for biomedical applications. Advanced Materials. 2019; 31(45): 1804679.
4. Brunton, L. L., Hilal-Dandan, R., and Knollmann, B. C. (2018). Goodman and Gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
5. European Medicines Agency. (2015). Guideline on quality of transdermal patches. EMA.
6. Nair, A. B., Kumria, R., Harsha, S., Attimarad, M., Al-Dhubiab, B. E., and Alhaider, I. A. In vitro techniques to evaluate buccal films. Journal of Controlled Release. 2013; 166(1): 10-21.
7. Laffleur, F., and Bernkop-Schnurch, A. Strategies for improving mucosal drug delivery. Nanomedicine. 2013; 8(12): 2061-2075.
8. Nair, A. B., Kumria, R., Al-Dhubiab, B. E., and Attimarad, M. Evaluation of buccal films for systemic drug delivery. Drug Delivery. 2012; 19(6): 313-321.
9. Sankar, V., Johnson, D. B., Sivanand, V., and Ravichandran, V. Design and evaluation of nifedipine buccal tablets. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2011; 73(3): 322-326.
10. Patel, V. F., Liu, F., and Brown, M. B. Advances in oral transmucosal drug delivery. Journal of Controlled Release. 2011; 153(2): 106-116.
11. Morales, J. O., and McConville, J. T. Manufacture and characterization of mucoadhesive buccal films. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. 2011; 77(2): 187-199.
12. Reddy, P. C., Chaitanya, K. S. C., and Madhusudan Rao, Y. A review on bioadhesive buccal drug delivery systems. Journal of Global Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2011; 2(4): 466-480.
13. Carvalho, F. C., Bruschi, M. L., Evangelista, R. C., and Gremiao, M. P. D. Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2010; 46(1): 1-17.
14. Koland, M., Sandeep, D. S., and Charyulu, R. N. Fast dissolving intraoral films of ondansetron for buccal drug delivery. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology. 2010; 3(3): 1004-1011.
15. Perioli, L., Ambrogi, V., Pagano, C., Scuota, S., and Rossi, C. New study on solid dispersions of mebendazole on poloxamer 188. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2009; 38(3): 220-230.
16. Rowe, R. C., Sheskey, P. J., Quinn, M. E. (2009). Handbook of pharmaceutical excipients (6th ed.). Pharmaceutical Press.
17. Andrews, G. P., Laverty, T. P., and Jones, D. S. Mucoadhesive polymeric platforms for controlled drug delivery. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. 2009; 71(3): 505-518.
18. Kharenko, E. A., Larionova, N. I., and Demina, N. B. Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal. 2009; 43(4): 200-208.
19. Madhav, N. V. S., and Shakya, A. K. Orotransmucosal drug delivery systems: A review. Journal of Controlled Release. 2009; 140(1): 2-11.
20. Kokate, A., Li, X., and Jasti, B. Effect of drug lipophilicity and ionization on permeability across buccal mucosa. Pharmaceutical Research. 2008; 25(5): 1211-1217.
21. Sudhakar, Y., Kuotsu, K., and Bandyopadhyay, A. K. Buccal bioadhesive drug delivery: A promising option. Current Drug Delivery. 2006; 3(2): 125-131
22. Smart, J. D. The basics and underlying mechanisms of mucoadhesion. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 2005; 57(11): 1556-1568.
23. Ameye, D., and Foreman, P. (2005). Remington: The science and practice of pharmacy. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
24. Salamat-Miller, N., Chittchang, M., and Johnston, T. P. The use of mucoadhesive polymers in buccal drug delivery. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 2005; 57(11): 1666-1691.
25. Desai, K. G. H., and Kumar, T. M. P. Preparation and evaluation of a novel buccal adhesive system. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2004; 5(3): 1-9.
26. ICH. (2003). Stability testing of new drug substances and products Q1A(R2). International Council for Harmonisation.
27. Rathbone, M. J., Hadgraft, J., and Roberts, M. S. (2003). Modified-release drug delivery technology. Marcel Dekker.
28. Repka, M. A., Prodduturi, S., and Stodghill, S. P. Production and characterization of hot-melt extruded films. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. 2003; 29(7): 757-765.
29. Zhang, H., Zhang, J., and Streisand, J. B. Oral mucosal drug delivery: Clinical pharmacokinetics and therapeutic applications. Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 2002; 41(9): 661-680.
30. Okamoto, H., Taguchi, H., Iida, K., and Danjo, K. Development of polymer film dosage forms of lidocaine for buccal administration. Journal of Controlled Release. 2001; 77(3): 253-260.
31. Wong, C. F., Yuen, K. H., and Peh, K. K. Formulation and evaluation of controlled release Eudragit buccal patches. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 1999; 178(1): 11-22.
32. Nielsen, H. M., Rassing, M. R., and Frey, J. Buccal delivery of peptide and protein drugs. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 1999; 38(1): 39-58.
33. Shojaei, A. H. Buccal mucosa as a route for systemic drug delivery: A review. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1998; 1(1): 15-30.
34. Dodane, V., and Vilivalam, V. D. Pharmaceutical applications of chitosan. Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Today. 1998; 1(6): 246-253.
35. Ahuja, A., Khar, R. K., and Ali, J. Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. 1997; 23(5): 489-515.
36. Rathbone, M. J., Drummond, B. K., and Tucker, I. G. Oral cavity as a site for systemic drug delivery. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 1994; 13(1-2): 1-22.
37. Gandhi, R. B., and Robinson, J. R. Oral cavity as a site for bioadhesive drug delivery. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 1994; 13(1-2): 43-74.
38. Harris, D., and Robinson, J. R. Drug delivery via the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1992; 81(1): 1-10.
39. Gupta, A., Garg, S., and Khar, R. K. Measurement of bioadhesive strength of mucoadhesive buccal tablets. Indian Drugs. 1992; 30(4): 152-155.
40. Banker, G. S., and Anderson, N. R. (1987). Tablets. In L. Lachman, H. A. Lieberman, and J. L. Kanig (Eds.), The theory and practice of industrial pharmacy (3rd ed., pp. 293-345). Varghese Publishing House.
41. Peppas, N. A., and Buri, P. A. Surface, interfacial and molecular aspects of polymer bioadhesion on soft tissues. Journal of Controlled Release. 1985; 2: 257-275.
42. Ishida, M., Nambu, N., and Nagai, T. Mucosal dosage form of lidocaine for toothache using hydroxypropyl cellulose and carbopol. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 1982; 30(3): 980-984.