Study on the release of chlorhexidine base and salts from different liquid crystalline structures

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of two types of chlorhexidine species, chlorhexidine base and its salts, on the physicochemical features of liquid crystalline systems and on drug transport through lipophilic membranes. A non-ionic surfactant, Synperonic A7 (PEG7-C13-15) was selected for the preparation of the liquid crystalline systems. Mixtures of different ratios of Synperonic A7 and water were prepared. The liquid crystalline systems were characterized using polarizing microscopy and dynamic oscillatory test. Membrane transport was also examined. The addition of chlorhexidine species to the liquid crystalline system modified the structure of the liquid crystalline system. As a result of the changes of liquid crystalline structures, the drug release of various types of chlorhexidine could be also modified. The combination of the base and salt forms of the drug in one dosage form could eliminate the drug release changes from liquid crystalline systems of dynamically changeable structures. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.