Release kinetics of catechins from chewing gum

Chewing gums containing catechins were prepared by applying a novel solid dispersion and hot-melt fluid bed coating method. The effect of varying levels of Eudragit(R) coating to the granules on the prolonged release of catechins from chewing gum was investigated. In vivo release profiles of catechins from the formulations were investigated to determine its release kinetics. Dissolution data were used as the primary basis for comparison. The equations with zero order, first-order, or square root of time release kinetics were used to fit data. The results showed that the releases of catechins from chewing gum were well extended with the growing coating level of Eudragit(R) to the granules. The statistical analysis using nonlinear regression software suggested that the Higuchi equation describes the data better than others. The relatively high degree of fit using the Higuchi equation implies that the kinetic process is involved in the release of drug from the dosage form. A possible release mechanism based on this profile is presented in this report. This approach suggested the potential of using chewing gum as a promising controlled-release delivery system of drugs. The effect of polyvinyl acetates with different crosslinkings on the release profiles of catechins was also studied. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.