Karin Korelc

• Korelc, Karin; Arumughan, Vishnu; Henrik-Klemens, Åke; Larsson, Anette & Tho, Ingunn (2026). Early-stage pharmaceutical development of bilayer buccal films with a chitosan backing layer for local pain management in oral mucositis. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. ISSN 0928-0987. 221. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2026.107530. Full text in Research Archive
• Arumughan, Vishnu; Korelc, Karin; Tho, Ingunn & Larsson, Anette (2026). The influence of substituents of cellulose ethers on their interaction with chitosan surfaces. Colloid and Interface Science Communications. 70. doi: 10.1016/j.colcom.2025.100867. Full text in Research Archive
• Korelc, Karin; Tzanova, Martina Martin; Larsson, Anette; Grassi, Mario; Cagno, Massimiliano Pio Di & Tho, Ingunn (2025). A simplified method to interpret the mechanism of drug release from thin polymeric films by drug diffusivity measurements. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. ISSN 0378-5173. 675. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125491. Full text in Research Archive
• Korelc, Karin; Larsen, Bjarke Strøm; Gašperlin, Mirjana & Tho, Ingunn (2023). Water-soluble chitosan eases development of mucoadhesive buccal films and wafers for children. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. ISSN 0378-5173. 631. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122544. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Oromucosal films and wafers are user-friendly solid dosage forms offering easy and convenient administration, as well as rapid or controlled drug delivery. The aim of this study was to develop prednisolone containing child-friendly chitosan-based mucoadhesive films and wafers with a prolonged residence time on the buccal mucosa. Four different chitosan types (different molecular weights, degree of deacetylation (DDA), pattern of deacetylation) were studied for films prepared by solvent-cast-evaporation and wafers by freeze-drying. Mucoadhesive properties correlated with swelling abilities and were dependent on the chitosan type, the solvent, and the preparation method. Mucoadhesive forces were higher for formulations containing chitosan with higher DDA and for wafers compared to films. The drug release was relatively fast, especially for films (approx. 90 % in 15 minutes) and steadier for wafers (90 % in 45–120 minutes). Permeability was evaluated using artificial membranes and HT29-MTX cell-monolayers. The developed formulations exhibited good biocompatibility. Organoleptic properties can be improved by choosing a homogenously deacetylated chitosan type that provides a more neutral pH. Using hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin-complexation for taste masking of bitter drugs also reduced wafers’ drug release rate. Mucoadhesive wafers are promising alternatives to films with a slower drug release rate and stronger mucoadhesion.

• Korelc, Karin; Larsen, Bjarke Strøm; Heintze, Anna-Lena; Henrik-Klemens, Åke; Karlsson, Jakob & Larsson, Anette [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Towards personalized drug delivery via semi-solid extrusion: Exploring poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) copolymers for hydrochlorothiazide-loaded films. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. ISSN 0928-0987. 192. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106645. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The increasing need for personalized drug delivery requires developing systems with tailorable properties. The copolymer poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVA/PVAc) allows for adjusting the monomer ratio. This study explored the effect of vinyl alcohol (VA) and vinyl acetate (VAc) monomer ratio on the properties of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) films. Five copolymers with different VA/VAc ratios were selected and characterized. Semi-solid extrusion was employed as a method for the preparation of HCT-PVA/PVAc films to address the challenges of HCT´s low water solubility, high melting point, and low permeability. All copolymers were suitable for semi-solid extrusion, however, the mechanical properties of films with higher VA proportions were more suitable. The drug was found to be homogeneously distributed on a micrometer level throughout the prepared films. It was found that using different monomer ratios in the copolymer allows for drug release tuning – higher VA proportions showed an increased rate of drug release. Experiments through HT29-MTX cell monolayers revealed differences in HCT permeability between the different formulations. In addition, no cytotoxicity was observed for the tested formulations. The results highlight the effect of monomer ratio on film properties, providing valuable guidance for formulators in selecting PVA/PVAc copolymers for achieving desired high-quality films. In addition, varying the monomer ratio allows tuning of the film properties, and can be applied for personalization, with flexible-dose adjustment and design of appealing shapes of the pharmaceutics, not least attractive for pediatric drug delivery.

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