Designing Oral Films Based on Beeswax: Comparative Assessment of 3D Printing and Solvent Casting.

Background: From the perspective of DDSs, OFs have received increased attention, mainly for pediatric and geriatric applications. Beeswax, a naturally derived and FDA-approved material, is often mixed with other polymers to enhance its mechanical properties. This study presented the first use of precisely controlled, solvent-free pressure-assisted micro-syringe printing to produce OFs.

Methods: Solvent casting and pressure-assisted micro-syringe printing were employed to produce hybrid film structures composed of beeswax, PVA, borax, and HPMC, loaded with betamethasone as a model drug. The films were characterized based on their physical appearance, mechanical attributes, surface structure, and ultrastructure morphology via SEM, drug content, and in vitro drug release.

Results: Films without the drug showed greater irregularities and roughness compared to the drug-loaded films. The physical properties of the formulations improved through 3D printing.

Conclusion: By using 3D printing methods in pharmaceuticals, the treatment procedurewould be very acceptable to the patient and increases the patient's adherence to treatmentand is useful for personal drug delivery.