Mucoadhesive Buccal Films for Local Delivery of <i>Lactobacillus brevis</i>

• Main Authors: Angela Abruzzo (Author), Beatrice Vitali (Author), Francesca Lombardi (Author), Luca Guerrini (Author), Benedetta Cinque (Author), Carola Parolin (Author), Federica Bigucci (Author), Teresa Cerchiara (Author), Catia Arbizzani (Author), Maria Caterina Gallucci (Author), Barbara Luppi (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2020-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1999-4923; 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030241
• Keywords: <i>lactobacillus brevis</i> cd2; arginine deiminase activity; buccal films; hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; mucoadhesion; Pharmacy and materia medica; RS1-441
• Source: Pharmaceutics, Vol 12, Iss 3, p 241 (2020)

The aim of this work was to prepare mucoadhesive buccal films for local release of <i>Lactobacillus brevis</i> CD2, which shows interesting anti-inflammatory properties due to its high levels of arginine deiminase. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-based films were prepared by means of a modified casting method, which allowed <i>L. brevis</i> CD2 loading on one side of the film, before its complete drying. Three batches of films were prepared, stored at +2&#8722;8 &#176;C and +23&#8722;25 &#176;C for 48 weeks and characterized in terms of physico-chemical and functional properties. For each batch, the <i>L. brevis</i> viable count and arginine deiminase activity were evaluated at different time points in order to assess functional property maintenance over time. Moreover, the mucoadhesive properties and ability of the films to release <i>L. brevis</i> CD2 were evaluated. A good survival of <i>L. brevis</i> CD2 was observed, particularly at the storage temperature of +2&#8722;8 &#176;C, while the activity of arginine deiminase was maintained at both temperature values. Films showed good mucoadhesive properties and guaranteed a prolonged release of viable lactobacilli, which can be directed towards the whole buccal cavity or specific mucosa lesions. In conclusion, the proposed preparative method can be successfully employed for the production of buccal films able to release viable <i>L. brevis</i> CD2 cells that maintain the anti-inflammatory enzymatic activity.