Development of starch/chitosan expandable films as a gastroretentive carrier for ginger extract-loaded solid dispersion

• Published in: Saudi pharmaceutical journal 2022-02, Vol.30 (2), p.120-131
• Main Authors: Kaewkroek, Kanidta, Petchsomrit, Arpa, Wira Septama, Abdi, Wiwattanapatapee, Ruedeekorn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chitosan; Expandable film; Gastroretentive drug delivery systems; Ginger extract; Original; Solid dispersions; Starch
• ISSN: 1319-0164; 2213-7475
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.12.017

Gastroretentive expandable films were developed to provide controlled release of ginger extract (GE) for treatment of gastric diseases. The dosage form consisted of ginger extract solid dispersion (GE-SD) loaded in a starch/chitosan composite film, which was subsequently folded and inserted into a hard gelatin capsule. GE-SD was prepared by solvent evaporation using an optimum weight ratio of 1:1 for GE and PVP K30. Expandable films containing GE-SD were prepared by solvent casting combinations of chitosan and either rice-, glutinous rice - or pregelatinized maize starch with glycerin incorporated as a plasticizer. The optimized film formulation prepared from glutinous rice starch, exhibited tensile strength of 5.4 N/cm2 and high expansion in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), resulting in a 2.8-fold increase in area. The films resulted in sustained release of up to 90% of the content of 6-gingerol during 8 h exposure to SGF. Furthermore, the 6-gingerol released from the film displayed dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulatedRAW264.7cells.