Formulation Design of Oral Strip-Films Based on PVA/PVP Polymer Blends for Nicotine Delivery

This work prepared oral strip-film for nicotine delivery using polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone as polymeric film and glycerin as a plasticizer. The formulas were optimized by Design-Expert ® program with regard to different dependent variables such as moisture content, swelling in distilled water, swelling in artificial saliva, weight variation, film thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break, folding endurance, surface pH, and drug content. Obtained results demonstrated that it was possible to accurately optimize the characteristics of nicotine oral strip-films related to polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and glycerin with a low percent error value. T g was lowered when the polyvinylpyrrolidone amount was decreased, but T m became still smaller and shifted to a higher temperature. Increase in amorphicity was observed and become halo broad peak. Homogeneous, smooth, and dense films were observed. Nicotine content was found to be in the range of 2.49 to 2.68 mg/cm 2 depending on the ingredients. In vitro release and permeation of nicotine from the oral strip-films depended on polyvinylpyrrolidone and glycerin amount. The kinetic model of nicotine release and permeation was fitted to the Korsmeyer–Peppas model.