Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of orally disintegrating films based on starch and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose incorporated with Cordia verbenacea (erva baleeira) extract

Cordia verbenacea (erva baleeira) is a plant used in indigenous folk medicine. Due to its pharmacological properties (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), it can be used in the development of herbal medicines by different forms of administration such as orally disintegrating films (ODFs), which would facilitate the systemic release of its active ingredients. Considering the properties of the C. verbenacea and the advantages of ODFs, the objective of this work was the potential development of ODFs with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The polymeric matrices were produced based on starch and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and additives with different C. verbenacea extract concentrations in order to obtain concentrations of 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mg flavonoids/ODF. The films were characterized by microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, mechanical properties, mucoadhesiveness, in vitro disintegration, in vitro release of flavonoids, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of the films. The ODFs showed good antioxidant activity and high anti-inflammatory capacity with inhibition of COX-2 enzyme. The stability study demonstrated the conservation of flavonoids and also the maintenance of the anti-inflammatory capacity of ODFs. This study demonstrated that orally disintegrating films have high potential for the delivery of natural bioactive compounds and the maintenance of their pharmacological properties.