In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Moringa Gum As a Carrier for Buccal Drug Delivery

Purpose: The objective of the study was to evaluate the naturally available Moringa gum as drug carrier and mucoadhesive component in buccal delivery and to compare the bioavailability of Propranolol Hydrochloride buccal tablet with the oral tablet in healthy human volunteers. Material and Methods: The buccal tablets containing various concentration (Formulation1: 10, F2: 20, F3: 30 and F4: 40 mg) of Moringa gum were prepared and coated with 5% (w/v) ethyl cellulose on one face and oral tablet (F5) without polymer were formulated using a direct compression technique. The muco-adhesion of the polymer was evaluated using porcine buccal mucosa as a model tissue under simulated buccal conditions. The tablets were subjected to in vitro drug release studies at pH 6.8 phosphate buffer and the bioavailability study was conducted with the 16 healthy human volunteers. Results: The forces of detachment for the tablets were 10.21, 12.12, 14.31 and 15.42 (From F1 formulation to F4 formulation, respectively). The cumulative percentage release of propranolol in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer were found to be 97.l3, 98.12 and 100.1 (F3, F4 and F5, respectively). The bio-availability of buccal tablet (F2, F3 and F4) and oral (F5) tablet was found to be 2491.69, 4292.17, 4244.9 and 2196 ng.hr/ml., respectively. Conclusion: The study indicates that the Moringa gum in the concentrations of 30 (F3) and 40 mg (F4) not only gives higher bioavailability but also have sufficient mucoadhesive propertyfor clinical application.