Effect of D-Sorbitol on the Thermal Gelation of Methylcellulose Formulations for Drug Delivery

Notes Methylcellulose is a water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose by methylation, and is extensively used as a binder or thickener in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food additives. Water-soluble methylcellulose solutions can form thermoreversible hydrogels in water on heating due mainly to a reduction of the hydrophobic association between methylcellulose chains and water at elevated temperatures. The gelation temperature of aqueous solutions of methylcellulose, however, is too high (approximately 53 °C) for use as an in situ gelling vehicle.