A novel mucoadhesive polymer prepared by template polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of chitosan

A novel mucoadhesive polymer was prepared by template polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of chitosan for transmucosal drug delivery system (TMD). FT-IR results indicated that polymer complex was formed between poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and chitosan through hydrogen bonding. Glass transition temperature (T-g) of chitosan and PAA in the PAA/chitosan polymer complexes was inner-shifted compared with T-g of chitosan and PAA itself. This may be due to the increased miscibility of PAA with chitosan through the hydrogen bonding. The crystallinity of chitosan in the PAA/chitosan polymer complexes was decreased with polymer complex formation with PAA. The dissolution rate of the PAA/chitosan polymer complex was dependent on pH and ratio of PAA/chitosan. The mucoadhesive force of PAA/chitosan polymer complex was similar to a commericial product, Carbopol 971P NF. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.