Tailored Hydrogel Microbeads of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose as a Carrier to Deliver Mefenamic Acid: Transmucosal Administration

[Background]Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs produce an enhanced hazard of severe gastrointestinal adverse effects, specifically in elderly patients.[Objectives]The current study aimed at formulating mucoadhesive microparticles of mefenamic acid to improve the therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance[Methods]The microparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na CMC) polymer. In the current study, the buccoadhesive microspheres holding various polymer-to-drug ratios were prepared and characterized by the following properties: encapsulation efficiency, FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) flowability, particle size, degree of swelling and surface pH, DSC (differential scanning calormetric), mucoadhesive property, retentive time, and release of drug[Results]The best polymer-to-drug ratio in the microspheres was 4:1 (as F₃). The production yield of F₃ microparticles showed a mean of 99.30%, with a particle size of 1905.46 µm and loading efficiency of 46.56%. The DSC showed that the mefenamic acid-loaded microparticles changed to amorphous form. Based on the FTIR results, the drug maintained its chemical stability during the encapsulation process. It was found that the prepared F₃ microparticles had more release rate than the microparticles of F₁, F₂, and untreated mefenamic acid powder (P < 0.05). The microparticles exhibited very good retention time properties. The results of mucoadhesive strength and surface pH of discs showed better characterization of microparticles in buccal administration.[Conclusions]The formulations were appropriate candidates to improve microparticles for the remedial purposes.