The primary objective of this research was to create an effective mucoadhesive buccal patch with optimized formulation properties that would promote drug absorption through the buccal pathway.
Methods: HPMC K15M and Neem Gum were used to develop mucoadhesive buccal patches using a 3² full factorial design. Physicochemical properties, drug-excipient compatibility (FTIR, DSC), ex-vivo permeation, and stability studies were conducted to characterize the formulations. Design Expert software was used to perform the optimization.
Results: FTIR and DSC studies showed the drug's and excipients' compatibility in the formulation. The tensile strength of the optimized formulation (MF9) was found to be 18.73±0.36 N/mm², mucoadhesive strength of 9.8±0.39 N, and ex-vivo adhesion time of 9.6±0.58 hr, indicating superior characteristics as compared to existing methods. Maximum drug permeation of 91.07%, flux of 13.45 µg/cm²/h, and permeability coefficient of 3.74 cm/h were found in ex-vivo permeation studies over eight h. The drug release was first-order kinetics (R²=0.9832). The accelerated stability studies at 40±2°C and 75±5% RH showed that the formulation contained minimal variation in critical parameters and was stable for at least 6 months.
Conclusion: The developed mucoadhesive buccal patch was revealed to improve marrubiin delivery through a combination of the best polymers and showed excellent stability. It is a potential non-invasive approach compared to the conventional oral administration.
Keywords: Marrubiin, Mucoadhesive buccal patch, HPMC K15M, Neem Gum, Ex-vivo permeation, Factorial design
How to cite this article: Salve RK, Datir MB, Kashid VA, Dhambore BR, Dengale SS, Chechare DD, Salve AR, Development And Optimization Of Buccal Patch Loaded With Marrubiin For Anti-Diabetic Effect. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(2s): 734-747; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.734-747