Design of a dissolution apparatus suitable for in situ release study of triamcinolone acetonide from bioadhesive buccal tablets

A new and simple dissolution apparatus which is capable of evaluating the release of drug and bioadhesive properties of buccal tablets has been developed. The apparatus consists of a dissolution cell and an outer assembly. The cell has been designed to hold the chicken pouch membrane and bioadhesive tablet together and also to allow the dissolution medium to flow over them. The outer assembly is to provide adjustment of the angle of flow of the medium over the cell. The release study of triamcinolone acetonide from various bioadhesive buccal tablets containing different proportions of poly(acrylic acid-2.5-dimethyl-1,5-hexadiene) (PADH) and hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose (HPMC) with the apparatus reveals that the bioadhesion of the tablet and the release of drug are influenced by the different proportions of polymers. With higher concentrations of PADH, the tablets disintegrate much more rapidly, leading to a faster release of the drug and they give better adhesion to the membrane. Tablets with higher concentrations of HPMC provide more prolonged release of the drug. However, they can be dislodged from the membrane more easily. The results produced by the apparatus concur with the predicted patterns.