Drug-loaded Cellulose Acetate and Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Films as Ocular Inserts

The purpose of this research work was to evaluate the contribution of formulation variables on release properties of matrix type ocular films containing chloramphenicol as a model drug. This study investigated the use of cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate as film-forming agents in development of ocular films. Formulation variables were concentration of polymer and plasticizer. Prepared films were evaluated for thickness, tensile strength, water vapor transmission rate and in vitro dissolution study. All formulations showed extended drug release over a period of 12 hours. The levels of polymer and plasticizer had a significant influence on the drug release in initial periods. Diffusion exponents of all formulations were less than 0.5, which confirmed that drug release occurred without swelling of inserts. Water vapor transmission rate was influenced by concentration of plasticizer. The best formulation showed 81.26% drug release in vivo at the end of 12 h with cellulose acetate and 79.06% with cellulose acetate butyrate. The in vitroin vivo release correlation was evaluated and the regression coefficient was found to be 0.9767 and 0.9007 for cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate formulation, respectively indicating good correlation between the in vitro and in vivo drug release.