Rosin derivatives: novel film forming materials for controlled drug delivery

Two new rosin derivatives (RD-1 and RD-2) were synthesized in the laboratory and evaluated for physicochemical properties, molecular weight ( M w), polydispersity ( M w/ M n) and glass transition temperature ( T g). Plasticizer free films of the derivatives were produced by casting/solvent evaporation method. The surface morphology (SEM), water vapour transmission and mechanical properties (tensile strength, percent elongation and modulus of elasticity) of the films were investigated. The derivatives were further evaluated for pharmaceutical film coating by characterizing the release of a model drug (diclofenac sodium) from non-pariel seeds (pellets) coated with the derivatives. Pellet film coating could be achieved without agglomeration of the pellets within a reasonable operation time. Drug release from the coated pellets was sustained up to 10 h with the two rosin derivatives. These findings suggest the possible application of rosin derivatives (RD-1 and RD-2) for film coating.