Designing Oral Films Based on Beeswax: Comparative Assessment of 3D Printing and Solvent Casting.

BACKGROUND

From the perspective of drug delivery systems, oral films (OFs) have received increased attention, mainly for pediatric and geriatric applications. Beeswax, a naturally derived and FDA-approved material, is often mixed with other polymers to enhance its mechanical properties. This study presented the first use of precisely controlled, solvent-free pressure-assisted micro-syringe printing to produce OFs.

METHODS

Solvent casting and pressure-assisted micro-syringe printing were employed to produce hybrid film structures composed of beeswax, polyvinyl alcohol, borax, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, loaded with betamethasone as a model drug. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy for their physical appearance, mechanical properties, surface structure, and ultrastructural morphology, as well as their drug content and in vitro drug release.

RESULTS

Films without the drug showed greater irregularities and roughness compared to the drug-loaded films. The physical properties of the formulations improved through three-dimensional (3D) printing.

CONCLUSION

By using 3D printing methods in pharmaceuticals, the treatment procedure would be highly acceptable to patients, increasing their treatment adherence. It is also useful for personal drug delivery.