Studies on formulation and in vitro evaluation of PVA/chitosan blend films for drug delivery

Films of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan blends, in different compositions, i.e., 100/0, 80/20, 60/40, 40/60, 20/80, and 0/100 (PVA/chitosan), have been prepared by a solution casting method, with and without incorporation of curcumin used as a model drug. The cast films contained glycerine (15% by weight of polymer) as a plasticizer; 1% glacial acetic acid, distilled water, and ethanol as solvents for chitosan, PVA, and curcumin, respectively. Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, percentage elongation at break and barrier property [water vapor transmission rate (WVTR)] of the PVA/chitosan membranes were evaluated. The drug diffusion behavior of PVA/chitosan drug films in a buffer solution (pH 6.4) was established by an open glass diffusion cell.