Phonophoresis of theophylline through cellophane membrane and rabbit skin

ABSTRACT

The influence of ultrasound waves upon the permeation of theophylline through cellophane membrane and rabbit skin was studied in vitro. Sonication was carried out with continuous mode at intensities [0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 W/cm 2 at constant frequency 800 KHz for one sr. Different gel formulations with [hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and carbopol 934P] in different concentrations [1-4% w/w] were utilized. Phonophoresis of theophylline through rabbit skin were significantly less than that obtained with the cellophane membrane. Ultrasound application has showed a significant increase in the amount of theophylline permeation with increasing intensity. For all the tested gelling agents, the amount of drug released was decreased by increasing polymer concentrations. The Flux values were 5.99, 3.69 and 2.4 [micro g/min cm 2] for 2% HPMC, 4% Na CMC and 2% carbopol 934P gels respectively. It was found that drug release from HPMC gels obeys Zero-Order model while its release from Na CMC and carbopol 934P were fitted with First-Order and Higuchi-diffusion model respectively