Chitosan / gelatin matrices for Etonogestrel release

The use of contraceptive methods has brought society an undeniable advance to women, but has resulted in a change in the female sexual vision, causing the onset of sexual activity to occur more and more precocious, however the lack of use of contraceptive methods can lead to a of unwanted pregnancy. Among contraceptive methods, such as barrier methods, drug use, can be disregarded the long-lasting, highlighting the subdermal implants of etonorgestrel, where this drug is considered highly effective in that it has a long-lasting action and a rapid reversibility when withdrawn from the body. The aim of this study was to develop a biodegradable chitosan and gelatin membranes for the release of etonogestrel. The membranes were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Chitosan solutions were prepared by dissolving chitosan in 1% (v / v) acetic acid, gelatin being added in the proportions of 5 and 10% relative to the chitosan mass, and subsequent to incorporation of the drug. For neutralization, the membranes were submitted to an atmosphere of 2% (v / v) ammonium hydroxide for 48hs. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Infrared Spectroscopy with Fourier Transform (FTIR), Cytotoxicity and Wettability by Contact Angle Measurement. The DXX analysis showed that after the addition of etonogestrel an increase in the crystallinity of the films occurred. The MEV assay demonstrated that the membranes incorporating the drug had a homogeneous surface indicating that the drug incorporation occurred homogeneously. The FTIR spectra showed that there was interaction between the Etonogestrel and the polymer matrix in the amine and amide groups of the polymer. In the cytotoxicity assay the membranes presented cell viability. Wettability indicated a hydrophilic character. Thus, the results suggest the possibility of using the chitosan and gelatin films to release etonogestrel, however preclinical studies are still necessary. (author)