ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Deposition and release of chlorhexidine from non-ionic and anionic polymer matrices

Witold Musial, Vanja Kokol, and Bojana Voncina

Department of Textile Materials and Design, University of Maribor, Smetanova ul. 17, SI 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

E-mail: witold@ktpl.am.wroc.pl

Received: 27 July 2009  Revised: 19 October 2009  Accepted: 22 October 2009

Abstract: Therapeutic activity of locally applied drugs depends on both the thermodynamic activity of the active molecule and the pharmaceutical system which enables the release of the molecule; also the vasoconstrictive activity of vessels plays an important role. In this study, the release of chlorhexidine was assessed considering the use of ionic and non-ionic polymeric carriers at temperatures in the range between 22°C and 42°C, including the temperature of 32°C as the reference surface body temperature. The obtained release rates and concentrations of chlorhexidine, loaded to methylcellulose and poly(acrylic acid) gels, were compared with respective viscositiy, pH, and conductivity of the assessed systems. The deposition patterns of chlorhexidine in the polymeric matrix were studied using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry to evaluate the possible influence of chlorhexidine distribution in/on the carrier on the respective release rates. This study is significant for patients with various skin temperature conditions, who are required to receive local biocides applied on skin or into the oral cavity. The obtained precipitate of polyacrylic acid-chlorhexidine preparation was extensively studied to evaluate the chlorhexidine release and to develop an application in skin and dental care.

Keywords: chlorhexidine - methylcellulose - poly(acrylic acid) - temperature - drug release - skin surface

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-010-0013-y

Chemical Papers 64 (3) 346–353 (2010)