Utilising Co-Axial Electrospinning as a Taste-Masking Technology for Paediatric Drug Delivery

The present study describes the use of two taste-masking polymers to fabricate a formulation of chlorpheniramine maleate for paediatric administration. Co-axial electrospinning was utilized to create layered nanofibres; the two polymers, Eudragit(R) E PO and Kollicoat(R) Smartseal, were alternated between the core and the shell of the system in order to identify the optimum taste-masked formulation. The drug was loaded in the core on all occasions. It was found that the formulation with Kollicoat(R) Smartseal in the core with the drug, and Eudragit(R) E PO in the shell showed the most effective taste-masking compared to the other formulations. These fibres were in the nano-range and had smooth morphology as verified by scanning electron microscopy. Solid-state characterization and thermal analysis confirmed that amorphous solid dispersions were formed upon electrospinning. The Insent E-tongue was used to assess the taste-masking efficiency of the samples, and it was found that this formulation was undetectable by the bitter sensor, indicating successful taste-masking compared to the raw version of the drug. The E-tongue also confirmed the drug's bitterness threshold as compared to quinine HCl dihydrate, a parameter that is useful for formulation design and taste-masking planning.

Automated summary

This study utilized co-axial electrospinning to fabricate layered nanofibres for taste-masking chlorpheniramine maleate for paediatric administration. By alternating between two taste-masking polymers in the core and shell of the system, the optimal taste-masked formulation was identified. Evaluation using the Insent E-tongue confirmed successful taste-masking of the drug compared to the bitter sensor and provided useful information for formulation design and taste-masking planning.