Development of mucoadhesive vaginal films with metronidazole using Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) – Polycarbophil blends via hot melt extrusion

Akhmetova M.K. Abilova G.K. Duisengali A.B. Nurlybaeva T.A. Uzakbaeva S.S. Irmukhametova G.S. Bekeshev A.Z. Khutoryanskiy V.V.
17 September 2025 Elsevier Ltd

European Polymer Journal
2025 #237

Mucoadhesive vaginal films are increasingly regarded as a versatile platform for local drug delivery, offering prolonged mucosal retention, ease of administration, and enhanced bioavailability. In this study, vaginal films based on blends of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (POZ) and polycarbophil (PC) were developed and characterized, incorporating metronidazole as a poorly soluble antimicrobial drug. The films were prepared using hot-melt extrusion. Their physicochemical and mechanical properties, mucoadhesive performance, and ex vivo retention on the mucosal surface were studied. Particular attention was given to the effects of polymer ratio and plasticizer content on these characteristics. Key findings revealed that incorporating polycarbophil into POZ-based films significantly enhanced mucoadhesive strength, particularly in formulations containing glycerol as a plasticizer, which provided improved flexibility and adhesion. In ex vivo studies using sheep vaginal mucosa, POZ/PC films exhibited strong retention, with the POZ/PC (80:20) formulation showing significantly longer adhesion under simulated physiological fluid flow. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis confirmed partial amorphization of metronidazole in the films, reducing its crystallinity from 100 % to ∼ 65–70 %. Additionally, the films provided sustained drug release and demonstrated notable antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli.

Hot melt extrusion , Metronidazole , Mucoadhesion , Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) , Polycarbophil , Vaginal drug delivery , Vaginal films

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K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional State University, Aktobe, 030000, Kazakhstan
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AD, United Kingdom

K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional State University
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
School of Pharmacy

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