Polymeric Micelles Enhance Mucosal Contact Time and Deposition of Fluocinolone Acetonide

This study used polymeric micelles to improve quality by increasing drug solubility, extending mucosal drug retention time, enhancing mucoadhesiveness, and promoting drug permeation and deposition. Fluocinolone acetonide (FA) was loaded into polymeric micelles (FPM), which were composed of poloxamer 407 (P407), sodium polyacrylate (SPA), and polyethylene glycol 400, and their physicochemical properties were examined. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) revealed a hexagonal micellar structure at all temperatures, and the concentrations of P407 and SPA were shown to significantly affect the solubility, mucoadhesion, release, and permeation of FPMs. The proportion of P407 to PEG at a ratio of 7.5:15 with or without 0.1% w/v of SPA provided suitable FPM formulations. Moreover, the characteristics of FPMs revealed crystalline states inside the micelles, which was consistent with the morphology and nano-hexagonal structure. The results of ex vivo experiments using focal plane array (FPA)-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging showed that the FPM with SPA penetrated quickly through the epithelium, lamina propria, and submucosa, and remained in all layers from 5-30 min following administration. In contrast, the FPM without SPA penetrated and passed through all layers. The FPM with extended mucoadhesion, improved drug-mucosal retention time, and increased FA permeation and deposition were successfully developed, and could be a promising innovation for increasing the efficiency of mouth rinses, as well as other topical pharmaceutical and dental applications.

Automated summary

This study utilized polymeric micelles to enhance drug solubility, prolong mucosal drug retention, improve mucoadhesiveness, and promote drug permeation and deposition. The findings demonstrated that the physicochemical properties of the polymeric micelles, including solubility, mucoadhesion, release, and permeation, were significantly influenced by the concentrations of poloxamer 407 and sodium polyacrylate. The formulation of polymeric micelles with a ratio of poloxamer 407 to polyethylene glycol 400 of 7.5:15, with or without 0.1% w/v of sodium polyacrylate, exhibited suitable properties. Moreover, the polymeric micelles exhibited crystalline states within the micelles, consistent with their morphology and nano-hexagonal structure. The developed polymeric micelles with extended mucoadhesion, improved drug-mucosal retention time, and enhanced drug permeation and deposition have great potential in increasing the effectiveness of mouth rinses and other topical pharmaceutical and dental applications.