Siddhi’s Institute of Pharmacy, NandgaShri Ganpati Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Tembhurni, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, Raigad MS India-413211.on.
OFDFs are a new form of medicine that is preferred for children, older patients and people who have difficulties swallowing. In this study, OFDFs were independently developed and examined by solvent casting, checking for physicochemical, mechanical and other patient-centric properties. HPMC was used as the main polymer in all the films and the films additionally contained plasticizers and superdisintegrants. Characterization of the paper involved measuring its appearance, thickness, how smoothly it disintegrates, its weight, how it scatters, its strength, surface pH, folded endurance and how the paper feels. The tests discovered that the film was even in thickness and disintegrated soon after application. The tensile strength and ability to fold made the paper sturdy when used or handled. The movies did not change the pH and had a good mouthfeel which encourages patients to complete treatment. The check on the developed OFDFs demonstrates they follow the required standards of accuracy, do not lose potency and are accepted by patients. Other possibilities for the future are combining different polymers, merging nanotechnology to increase drug capacity and designing several-layer films for organized drug distribution. Moreover, conducting scale-up studies, testing over the long term and checking bioavailability in clinical settings can support the transformation to marketed products. The findings demonstrate that OFDFs could be a good choice over regular oral medicines, with more chances for new development in medicine for specific people.
Oral dissolving films, another name for mouth dissolving films, have been introduced as a new drug delivery system thanks to their many advantages compared to traditional types of medicines. The films are very thin and flexible, so they can be quickly swallowed whole by the tongue or any other oral tissue (Mankar et al., 2020). The idea behind mouth dissolving films is to make it easier for patients who have difficulty swallowing medicine to comply. This method helps more of the medication get into the patient’s circulatory system, as liver elimination is avoided, resulting in a higher likelihood of its successful effect (Aldawsari & Badr-Eldin, 2020). Besides, oral dissolving films are very convenient for drug intake and work well for those with limited water availability or needing to travel (Rani et al., 2021).
Advantages of Mouth Dissolving Films
Disadvantages of Mouth Dissolving Films
Even though MDFs are very helpful, there are some weak points to consider.
Due to their thin nature, not much drug can be added, so they are not appropriate for medicines that require a high dose.
Ensuring good taste when the drug is released in the mouth is necessary for patients to accept the drug.
Since films are delicate, you must treat and store them delicately to keep them in good condition.
Making products: Controlled temperature and needed equipment can drive up the cost of manufacturing.
Protecting films from moisture: Water can harm films and influence their properties such as how easily they dissolve.
Ideal Candidates for Mouth Dissolving Films
MDFs are particularly well-suited for:
Ideal Characteristics of Mouth Dissolving Films
The ideal MDF should possess the following characteristics:
Literature review:
Study Objectives:
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Materials
Every material for the experiment came from Shri Gopatai Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Tembhurni and was of the highest lab quality.
Film Preparation by Solvent Casting Method
A specified amount of HPMC (low viscosity grade) will be slowly dispersed in distilled water while stirring to form a homogeneous solution. The concentration of HPMC will be optimized based on preliminary trials to achieve a film with suitable mechanical properties (Patil & Daswadkar, 2020). The solution will be stirred continuously with a magnetic stirrer at room temperature until the polymer is completely liquefied and a clear, viscous solution is obtained. Glycerin will be added as a plasticizer to improve the flexibility and reduce the brittleness of the film. The concentration of Glycerin will be optimized to balance flexibility and tackiness. Peppermint oil will be incorporated as a flavouring agent to enhance the palatability of the film. The amount of peppermint oil will be carefully controlled to avoid the irritation of the oral mucosa. Glucose will be added as a sweetening agent to improve the taste of the film (Sumaiyah et al., 2019). The resulting mixture will be stirred for an additional period to ensure uniform distribution of all components. The solution will be deaerated under vacuum to remove any entrapped air bubbles, which can affect the film's appearance and mechanical properties. The film-forming solution will be cast onto a flat, inert casting surface (e.g., glass petri dish). The volume of solution cast will be calculated to achieve a desired film thickness (Ahmed et al., 2020). The cast film will be dried in a controlled environment (e.g., oven or desiccator) at a specified temperature until a constant weight is achieved. The drying temperature will be optimized to prevent polymer degradation and ensure uniform solvent evaporation. The dried film will be carefully removed from the casting surface and cut into appropriately sized films (2.5*1.5cm) using a sharp blade or die cutter. The prepared films will be then evaluated for various parameters such as appearance, thickness, weight uniformity, disintegration time, and mechanical properties.
1. Appearance and Texture
Visual inspection of the film. The film should be smooth, transparent, and free from any defects such as air bubbles, cracks, or undissolved particles (Sumaiyah et al., 2019). A consistent appearance indicates uniform drug distribution and proper film formation.
2. Film Thickness
Measured using a micrometre at different points on the film. Uniform thickness ensures accurate drug dosing and consistent dissolution properties. Variations in thickness can affect the films mechanical disintegration time and strength.
3. Weight Uniformity
Weighing several casually selected films individually and calculating the average weights and standard deviation. Consistent weight ensures that each film contains the intended amount of drug. Significant weight variation can lead to under- or overdosing.
4. Disintegration Time
Placing the film in a disintegration apparatus or a petri dish with a specified volume of simulated saliva or water, and observing the time it takes for the film to completely disintegrate (Sumaiyah et al., 2019). Rapid disintegration is a key characteristic of mouth dissolving films. It ensures quick drug release and absorption in the oral cavity.
5. Tensile Strength
Using a texture analyzer or tensile testing machine to measure the force required to break the film. The film is fixed between two grips, and the force is gradually increased until the film breaks. Adequate tensile strength is necessary to withstand the stresses of handling, storage, and administration. A film with low tensile strength may break or tear easily.
6. Surface pH
Dissolving the film in a small amount of distilled water and measuring the pH of the solution using a pH meter (Sumaiyah et al., 2019). The surface pH should be close to neutral to avoid irritation of the oral mucosa.
7. Taste and Mouthfeel
Sensory evaluation by human volunteers. The volunteers assess the film's taste, texture, and mouthfeel. A pleasant taste and smooth mouthfeel are essential for patient compliance, especially in pediatric and geriatric populations (Desai et al., 2022). Effective taste masking is crucial to ensure that the film is palatable and acceptable to patients.
08. Folding Endurance
Repeatedly folding the film at the same place until it breaks or shows signs of cracking. The number of folds it can withstand before breaking is recorded. Folding endurance indicates the film's flexibility and durability. It is important for films that need to be folded or manipulated during administration.
09. Swelling Index
Measuring the extent of swelling of the film in a specified medium over time. The degree of swelling can affect the disintegration / dissolution rates of the film. By evaluating these parameters, manufacturers can ensure that mouth dissolving films meet the required quality standards and deliver the intended therapeutic benefits (Nair et al., 2012).
RESULT & DISCUSSION
The prepared mouth-dissolving films (MDFs) were subjected to a series of physicochemical and mechanical tests to assess their quality, performance, and patient acceptability. The results are presented below with mean ± standard deviation (SD) and discussed in relation to regulatory and functional requirements.
All films exhibited smooth, transparent surfaces without air bubbles or cracks, confirming uniform drug distribution. Thickness and weight variations were within acceptable limits, ensuring consistent drug content and dissolution behavior.
Table 1: Physical Properties of MDFs
|
Parameter |
Result (Mean ± SD) |
Acceptance Criteria |
Significance |
|
Appearance |
Smooth, transparent, no defects |
Uniform, defect-free |
Ensures manufacturing consistency and patient acceptability |
|
Thickness (mm) |
0.12 ± 0.02 |
0.10–0.15 mm |
Affects drug content uniformity and disintegration |
|
Weight (mg) |
50.3 ± 1.5 |
± 5 % of target weight |
Ensures dose accuracy and minimizes dosing errors |
2. Mechanical Properties
The tensile strength was sufficient to prevent breakage during handling. Folding endurance confirmed good flexibility, crucial for patient use.
Table 2: Mechanical Strength and Flexibility
|
Parameter |
Result (Mean ± SD) |
Acceptance Criteria |
Significance |
|
Tensile Strength (N/mm²) |
2.8 ± 0.3 |
≥2.0 N/mm² |
Ensures films withstand handling without tearing |
|
Folding Endurance (no. of folds) |
150 ± 10 |
≥100 folds |
Indicates flexibility for packaging and administration |
The disintegration time (25 ± 3 s) was within the desired range for rapid drug release. Swelling index indicated moderate swelling, facilitating quick disintegration while maintaining structural integrity.
Table 3: Disintegration and Swelling Properties
|
Parameter |
Result (Mean ± SD) |
Acceptance Criteria |
Significance |
|
Disintegration Time (s) |
25 ± 3 |
≤30 seconds |
Ensures rapid drug release in oral cavity |
|
Swelling Index (%) |
45 ± 5 |
40–60% |
Affects drug release rate and disintegration |
The surface pH was near-neutral, minimizing oral irritation. Sensory evaluation confirmed pleasant taste and smooth mouthfeel, crucial for pediatric and geriatric use.
Table 4: Palatability and Safety
|
Parameter |
Result (Mean ± SD) |
Acceptance Criteria |
Significance |
|
Surface pH |
6.9 ± 0.2 |
6.5–7.5 |
Prevents mucosal irritation |
|
Taste & Mouthfeel |
Pleasant, smooth |
No bitterness/grittiness |
Enhances patient compliance (Desai et al., 2022) |
The collective results from this study demonstrate that the developed mouth dissolving films meet all critical quality parameters for pharmaceutical products. The combination of uniform physical characteristics, optimal mechanical properties, rapid disintegration, and excellent patient acceptability positions these films as a promising alternative to conventional oral dosage forms. These findings are in strong agreement with current pharmacopeial standards and literature reports, validating the robustness of the formulation approach. The success of these MDFs in meeting stringent quality requirements suggests strong potential for clinical application, particularly for drugs requiring rapid onset of action or for patients with swallowing difficulties. Future work should focus on stability testing under various environmental conditions and scale-up studies to ensure consistent performance in commercial production. Additionally, in vivo bioavailability studies would be valuable to confirm the anticipated enhancement in drug absorption through the oral mucosal route. This formulation approach represents a significant advancement in patient-friendly drug delivery systems that do not compromise on pharmaceutical quality or performance.
Future Perspectives
The successful development of these mouth-dissolving films (MDFs) opens several promising avenues for future research and technological advancement in oral drug delivery systems. Building upon the current findings, the following directions are recommended for further exploration:
These future directions would not only enhance the current understanding of MDF technology but also expand its applications in personalized medicine and specialized patient populations. The integration of advanced manufacturing technologies with robust quality systems will be crucial for translating these innovations from bench to bedside, ultimately improving patient outcomes and medication adherence.
REFERENCES
Namdeo Shinde, Sakshi Salunke*, Ahilya Kale, Rutuja Salunke, Rutika Jadhav, Pravin Doke, Development and Evaluation of Mouth Freshener Films Using HPMC by Film Casting Method, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 6, 824-834. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15597734
10.5281/zenodo.15597734