Viscosity Effects of Hydrophilic Polymers on Transport of Collagen Hydrolysate Across Reconstructed Human Buccal Tissue

Abstract

Herein we investigate the influence of hydrophilic polymers on the buccal permeability of collagen hydrolysate (CGH) by performing in vitro buccal permeation test and viscosity measurements. After we demonstrated that CGH (2000-3000 Da) could be delivered across the reconstructed human buccal tissue as evaluated by hydroxyproline assay, the effects of different hydrophilic polymers, varying amounts of CGH, and hydration methods were examined to elucidate the relationship with buccal permeation behavior of CGH. The percentage of CGH permeated was found to be highest in HPMC E5 solution and greater when the viscosity of test solutions was low. Using commercially obtained CGH-loaded buccal films, the films under higher hydration condition exhibited greater CGH permeation. This study demonstrates that CGH can be delivered via the human buccal tissue and viscosity of the solution significantly affects the CGH permeation. These findings are valuable for designing hydrophilic polymer-based buccal film formulations for peptides like CGH.