Box-Behnken Design Assisted Optimization and Characterization of Chitosan Film for Simultaneous Topical Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and Metronidazole

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The objective of this study was to develop chitosan films plasticized with glycerol for the topical delivery of ascorbic acid and metronidazole. <b>Methods:</b> The films were prepared using a casting technique in which an aqueous ascorbic acid s...

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Main Authors: Bilawal Khan, Pakorn Kraisit, Supaporn Santhan, Namon Hirun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/5/562
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author Bilawal Khan
Pakorn Kraisit
Supaporn Santhan
Namon Hirun
author_facet Bilawal Khan
Pakorn Kraisit
Supaporn Santhan
Namon Hirun
author_sort Bilawal Khan
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> The objective of this study was to develop chitosan films plasticized with glycerol for the topical delivery of ascorbic acid and metronidazole. <b>Methods:</b> The films were prepared using a casting technique in which an aqueous ascorbic acid solution served as the solvent, eliminating the need for additional mineral or organic acids. The influence of compositions on film characteristics—specifically mechanical properties and surface pH—was examined, and an optimized formulation was identified using a Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology. Relevant characterization techniques and in vitro evaluations were conducted to assess the properties and performance of the optimized film formulation. <b>Results:</b> Results showed that both glycerol and ascorbic acid contributed to the plasticization of the films. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of the optimized film revealed the formation of chitosan ascorbate and interactions between chitosan and glycerol. In addition, the thermogram and powder X-ray diffractogram demonstrated alterations in the thermal behavior and crystallinity of the embedded bioactive compounds. The developed film possessed the preferred swelling capacity. Moreover, in vitro release studies revealed a co-release pattern, delivering both bioactive compounds simultaneously. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings suggest that the prepared chitosan-based film could serve as a promising platform for topical delivery.
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spelling doaj-art-75241210fefa4fa999f6e578bb0befec2025-08-20T02:33:51ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-04-0117556210.3390/pharmaceutics17050562Box-Behnken Design Assisted Optimization and Characterization of Chitosan Film for Simultaneous Topical Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and MetronidazoleBilawal Khan0Pakorn Kraisit1Supaporn Santhan2Namon Hirun3Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, ThailandDivision of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, ThailandThammasat University Research Unit in Smart Materials and Innovative Technology for Pharmaceutical Applications (SMIT-Pharm), Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, ThailandDivision of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The objective of this study was to develop chitosan films plasticized with glycerol for the topical delivery of ascorbic acid and metronidazole. <b>Methods:</b> The films were prepared using a casting technique in which an aqueous ascorbic acid solution served as the solvent, eliminating the need for additional mineral or organic acids. The influence of compositions on film characteristics—specifically mechanical properties and surface pH—was examined, and an optimized formulation was identified using a Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology. Relevant characterization techniques and in vitro evaluations were conducted to assess the properties and performance of the optimized film formulation. <b>Results:</b> Results showed that both glycerol and ascorbic acid contributed to the plasticization of the films. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of the optimized film revealed the formation of chitosan ascorbate and interactions between chitosan and glycerol. In addition, the thermogram and powder X-ray diffractogram demonstrated alterations in the thermal behavior and crystallinity of the embedded bioactive compounds. The developed film possessed the preferred swelling capacity. Moreover, in vitro release studies revealed a co-release pattern, delivering both bioactive compounds simultaneously. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings suggest that the prepared chitosan-based film could serve as a promising platform for topical delivery.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/5/562chitosanascorbic acidmetronidazoletopical film
spellingShingle Bilawal Khan
Pakorn Kraisit
Supaporn Santhan
Namon Hirun
Box-Behnken Design Assisted Optimization and Characterization of Chitosan Film for Simultaneous Topical Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and Metronidazole
Pharmaceutics
chitosan
ascorbic acid
metronidazole
topical film
title Box-Behnken Design Assisted Optimization and Characterization of Chitosan Film for Simultaneous Topical Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and Metronidazole
title_full Box-Behnken Design Assisted Optimization and Characterization of Chitosan Film for Simultaneous Topical Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and Metronidazole
title_fullStr Box-Behnken Design Assisted Optimization and Characterization of Chitosan Film for Simultaneous Topical Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and Metronidazole
title_full_unstemmed Box-Behnken Design Assisted Optimization and Characterization of Chitosan Film for Simultaneous Topical Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and Metronidazole
title_short Box-Behnken Design Assisted Optimization and Characterization of Chitosan Film for Simultaneous Topical Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and Metronidazole
title_sort box behnken design assisted optimization and characterization of chitosan film for simultaneous topical delivery of ascorbic acid and metronidazole
topic chitosan
ascorbic acid
metronidazole
topical film
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/5/562
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