Study on controlling nicotine release from snus by the SIPN membranes

Abstract

Snus is one of the types of smokeless tobaccos, which is popular in many countries and regions. The nicotine level in the plasma samples obtained from snus users is similar to the nicotine level obtained from cigarette smokers; hence, the snus users find it difficult to quit. The aim of this study is to develop new semi-interpenetrating polymer (SIPN) membranes that control the stable release of nicotine from snus, achieving the purpose of quitting smoking. Here, the SIPN comprising a polyacrylate network and PEG chains was synthesized through in situ radical polymerization. The SIPN was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, cytotoxicity, and in vitro release experiments. Furthermore, this SIPN was used to evaluate the release properties of nicotine in different snus samples varying in moisture, pH, and the tobacco’s particle size. The results indicated that the new SIPN could control release of nicotine at a specific rate, and the release rate could be adjusted according to the customer requirements. Thus, the new SIPN was contributed to build a new nicotine replacement therapy that served the snus users.

Keywords

• semi-interpenetrating polymer
• controlling release membrane
• controlled drug release
• snus
• nicotine replacement therapy