Transdermal therapeutic system of isradipine: effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic matrix on in vitro and ex vivo characteristics.

Isradipine (ISDP) is an effective calcium channel blocker used in the treatment of hypertension. It undergoes extensive first pass metabolism and bioavailability through the oral route is only about 15 to 24%. Hence we attempted to develop a matrix type controlled transdermal drug delivery system for ISDP. Formulations A1, A2, A3 were composed of Eudragit RL100 and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) in 1:3, 1:1, 3:1 ratios; A4, A5, A6 were composed of Eudragit RS100 and HPMC in 1:3, 1:1, 3:1 ratios. All six formulations carried 5 mg of ISDP/patch area, 5% v/w of D-limonene, 15 % v/w of propylene glycol in methanol:dichloromethane (1:1). The physicochemical compatibility of the drug and the polymers was studied by infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The results suggested no physicochemical incompatibility between the drug and the polymers. The prepared transdermal drug delivery system were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, mainly in vitro release and ex vivo permeation. The ex vivo permeation studies were carried out across excised rat skin using Franz diffusion cell. All the formulations exhibited satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. Cumulative amount of the drug released in 36 h from the six formulations were 1695.32, 1527.89, 1455.54, 1485.65, 1282.81 and 916.88 microg/cm(2) respectively. Corresponding values for the cumulative amounts of drug permeated across the rat skin for the above matrix films were 1456.29, 1284.70, 1182.99, 1212.72, 1046.05, and 782.60 microg/cm(2) respectively. By fitting the data into zero order, first order and Higuchi models, it was concluded that drug release from matrix films followed Higuchi model and the mechanism of drug release was diffusion mediated. Based on the physical evaluation, in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation characteristics, it was concluded that for potential therapeutic use, monolithic drug matrix films A1, may be suitable for the development of a transdermal drug delivery system of ISDP.

Matrix-type transdermal drug delivery system of trandolapril: in vitro and ex vivo characterization.

The purpose of the investigation was to develop and evaluate matrix-type transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) of trandolapril. Matrix-type TDDSs of trandolapril were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. Eight formulations (composed of Eudragit RL 100 and Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose 15 cps at a ratios of 2:8, 4:6, 6:4, 8:2 in formulations A1, A2, A3, A4; and Eudragit RS 100 and Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose 15 cps in the same ratios in formulations B1, B2, B3, B4, respectively) were prepared. All formulations contained 5% w/w menthol as penetration enhancer and 15% w/w propylene glycol as plasticizer in ethanol as solvent. The prepared TDDSs were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, in vitro release and ex vivo permeation. The physicochemical interactions between trandolapril and polymers were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results suggested that there is no physicochemical interaction between drug and polymers. The maximum drug release in 24 h for A series formulations was 95.45% (A1), 95.82% (A2), and it was 95.26% (B1), 95.69% (B2) for B series formulations, which are significantly (P < 0.05) different than the lowest values 78.79% (A3), 66.9% (A4) and 82.64% (B3), 71.67% (B4). The formulations A1 (flux 25.03 ± 0.98 µg/cm(2)/h) and B1 (flux 24.62 ± 0.63 µg/cm(2)/h) showed maximum skin permeation in the respective series. The flux obtained with formulations A1 and B1 meets the required flux (37.04 µg/h/cm(2)) with a minimum patch area (3.9 cm(2)). Matrix-type transdermal therapeutic systems of trandolapril could be prepared with the required flux using menthol as penetration enhancer.