Release kinetics of [lidocainium][ibuprofenate] as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient-Ionic Liquid from a plasticized zein matrix in simulated digestion.

An in vitro approach is proposed to study the release of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient-Ionic Liquid (API-IL) from a natural biopolymer matrix based on zein, a maize storage protein. Zein can be processed in the molten state with 20 w% [Lidocainium][Ibuprofenate] added as API-IL also acting as plasticizer and potentially co-plasticized by glycerol. The thermal stability of the matrix is checked, as well as the in vivo biological activity of the API-IL confirming anesthetic and anti-inflammatory activities.