ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the transdermal penetration absorption of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the monarch drug in Xiaoyan Zhentong Cataplasm and to optimize the transdermal penetration enhancers of Xiaoyan Zhentong Cataplasm. Methods: The Franz diffusion cell was used to study the in vitro permeation behavior, and salvianolic acid B and Tanshinone IIA were chosen as indexes. Samples with different penetration enhancers were assayed by HPLC method to determine the cumulative permeation quantity and permeation rate of salvianolic acid B and Tanshinone IIA. Results: When azone - propylene glycol (1:1), the permeation rates of salvianolic acid B and Tanshinone IIA through rat skin in vitro were 3.62 and 1.35 μg/(cm2·;h), respectively, and the 24 h permeated amounts were 88.72 and 16.12 μg/cm2, respectively. Compared with the Xiaoyan Zhentong Cataplasm without penetration enhancers, the permeation rates increased by 6 and 10 times, respectively. Conclusion: The combination of Azone - propylene glycol (1:1) is an effective penetration enhancer both to water-soluble salvianolic acid B and liposoluble Tanshinone IIA.