Formulation and Evaluation of Enalapril Maleate Mucoadhesive Buccal Film

Enalapril maleate is used in the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. It shows low bioavailability due to high hepatic first pass metabolism. Hence the present work was undertaken to formulate mucoadhesive buccal films of enalapril maleate with an objective to improve therapeutic efficacy, patient compliance and the bioavailability. In the present study ten formulations of mucoadhesive drug delivery system of enalapril maleate were prepared as buccal films, by solvent casting technique. Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose,methyl cellulose combination of both were used as mucoadhesive polymers. Prepared films were evaluated for their weight, thickness, surface pH, swelling index, drug content uniformity, in vitro residence .time, folding endurance in vitro release and permeation studies. Films exhibited controlled release over more than 10 h in permeation studies. It was concluded that the films containing 20 mg of enalapril maleate inhydroxy propyl methylcellulose and methyl cellulose 1% w/v , (F9&F10) showed good swelling, a convenient residence time and promising controlled drug release, thus can be selected for the development of buccal film for effective therapeutic uses.