Formulation of chlorhexidin into gels

Summary

The paper deals with the selection of optimal auxiliary substances from the group of enhancers and humectants for the formulation of chlorhexidin into the dosage form chitosan hydrogel. The concentrations of the active ingredient and the gel-producing substance are always constant, 0.1% (m/m) and 2.5% (m/m), respectively. The active ingredient chlorhexidin is one of the most widely used antiseptic agents to treat the inflammations of the oral cavity. The paper evaluated its release from hydrogels without and with Polysorbat 80 in 0.1 and 0.5% (m/m) and glycerol in 10% (m/m). The content of the active ingredients was determined spectrophotometrically, the optimal composition of hydrogel being: 0.1% chlorhexidin + 2.5% chitosan + 0.1% Polysorbat 80, where the largest amount of the active ingredient was released and this hydrogel showed thixotropic properties desirable from the standpoint of administration.

Key words:
chlorhexidin – chitosan – liberation – Polysorbat 80 – rheological properties