Evaluation of chemical modified hydrogel formulation for topical suitability

Background: Skin delivery and transdermal delivery are key ambitions of the pharmaceutical and cosmetically researchers. Aim: The study aimed to chemically modify well-known polymeric gelling agents in order to boost their topical suitability by fostering their dermal adhesiveness. Methods: Conventional chitosan was modified via amide bound formation with sulfhydryl compound thioglycolic acid. Subsequently, preactivated chitosan conjugate was established by preactivation of chitosan-thioglycolic acid with mercaptonicotinamide being covalently attached via disulfide bond linkage. All conjugates were examined due to their dermal adhesiveness and controlled drug release properties. Results: Preactivated chitosan conjugates Exhibit 7.46-fold dermal adhesiveness on skin due to tensile adhesion strength. Furthermore a 1.9-fold controlled release of Rhodamine123 as model drug was determined in comparison to unmodified chitosan. Conclusion: Taken together, preactivated chitosan gels show a promising platform for topical application. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.