Biodegradation and in vivo biocompatibility of rosin: a natural film-forming polymer

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe specific aim of the present study was to investigate the biodegradation and biocompatibility characteristics of rosin, a natural film-forming polymer. Both in vitro as well as in vivo methods were used for assessment of the same. The in vitro degradation of rosin films was followed in pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline at 37°C and in vivo by subdermal implantation in rats for up to 90 days. Initial biocompatibility was followed on postoperative days 7, 14, 21, and 28 by histological observations of the surrounding tissues around the implanted films. Poly (DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (50:50) was used as reference material for biocompatibility. Rate and extent of degradation were followed in terms of dry film weight loss, molecular weight (MW) decline, and surface morphological changes. Although the rate of in vitro degradation was slow, rosin-free films showed complete degradation between 60 and 90 days following subdermal implantation in rats. The films degraded following different rates, in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanism followed was primarily bulk degradation. Rosin films demonstrated inflammatory reactions similar to PLGA, indicative of good biocompatibility. Good biocompatibility comparable to PLGA is demonstrated by the absence of necrosis or abscess formation in the surrounding tissues. The study provides valuable insight, which may lead to new applications of rosin in the field of drug delivery.

PEGylated rosin derivatives: Novel microencapsulating materials for sustained drug delivery

“…It has an excellent film-forming property, fair biodegradation and biocompatibility characteristics, and a low cost. 1 So, rosin has been investigated for its applicability in the field of drug delivery. 2 Although native rosin produces brittle films, it can be modified into a worthy film former for pharmaceutical applications.…”

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“…They are capable of chemical modifications, potentially biodegradable and with few exceptions, also biocompatible 29 . The specific application of natural polysaccharide polymers in pharmaceutical formulations include to aid in the processing of the drug delivery system during its manufacture, protect, support or enhance stability, bioavailability or patient acceptability, assist in product identification, or enhance any other attribute of the overall safety, effectiveness or delivery of the drug during storage or use 30 .…”

Novel tamarind seed polysaccharide-alginate mucoadhesive microspheres for oral gliclazide delivery:in vitro–in vivoevaluation

“…Recent trends towards the use of natural polymers as novel drug carriers primarily remain attractive because of their easy availability, cost effectiveness, capability of chemical modifications, excellent biodegradability and acceptable biocompatibility (Satturwar et al, 2003;Sachan & Bhattacharya, 2009). Amongst various natural polymers, alginates have been found extensively used as matrix in various drug delivery applications due to its hydrogel forming properties (El-Kamel et al, 2003).…”