Effect of chitosan on the rheological properties of hydrogels based on sodium carboxymethylcellulose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of changing the concentrations of chitosan on the rheological properties of the obtained formulation. Hydrogels were prepared with 1% hydrocortisone containing 4% sodium carboxymethylcellulose with the addition of chitosan, propylene glycol-1,2 or polyethylene glycol 400 and glycerol or paraffin. The concentration of chitosan and excipients affects the rheological properties of gels and the pharmaceutical availability of hydrocortisone. Increasing the concentration of chitosan have influence on increasing the viscosity, hardness, and cohesiveness of the tested gels.