Thin polysaccharide films as carriers for local anesthetic drugs.

The need for delivery systems based on biopolymers led this study to the synthesis of a new type of polysaccharide film. Thus, two distinct types of films were obtained in which amide-type anesthetics were incorporated. In the composition of type A films, κ-carrageenan and glycerol are found, while in the composition of type B films, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) is also included. The addition of the second polysaccharide (HEC) to the base composition makes the B-type films exhibit parafilm-like elasticity. FTIR study indicates successful incorporation of anesthetics without affecting the integrity of the polysaccharide matrix. Through TG/DTG and DSC studies, it is highlighted that the active substances are stable in the range of 37–100 °C, as well as the polysaccharides that have been chosen as a film base. Thus, all the data obtained from this study indicate that these films can be used as a local anesthetic carrier for possible transdermal drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]