Bioadhesive delivery of hydrochlorothiazide using tacca starch/SCMC and tacca starch/Carbopols 940 and 941 admixtures.

Tacca starch and its admixtures with Carbopols 940 and 941; and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) were evaluated for bioadhesive delivery of hydrochlorothiazide into the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The bioadhesive properties were evaluated using the adhesion of polymer-coated glass beads on the antrum region of the porcine gastrointestinal tract and Lecomte Du Nouy tensiometer. The swellings and release characteristics of the films/hydrogels of tacca starch and its admixtures were also studied. Results of the bioadhesive properties indicated that although tacca starch is a poor bioadhesive biopolymer at low concentration, the admixtures showed improved bioadhesive properties. The swelling and the release characteristics also confirmed that the admixtures could be used for bioadhesive drug delivery into the GIT.