Development and Evaluation of Transdermal Drug Delivery System using Natural Polysaccharides

The purpose of this research work was to develop and evaluate matrix-type transdermal drug delivery system containing pioglitazone hydrochloride as model drug, using different combinations and different ratios of natural polysaccharides by solvent casting method. The compatibility study of the drug and the polymers was studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. The results suggested no incompatibility between the drug and the polymers. Eight transdermal patches were formulated by using different combinations of natural polymers in different ratios of (sodium alginate and pectin, and sodium alginate and xanthan gum), and using menthol 5%w/w as permeation enhancer, glycerol 10%w/w as plasticizer and water as a solvent. The prepared transdermal patches were evaluated for thickness, weight uniformity, tensile strength, % moisture absorption, % moisture loss, folding endurance, flatness, drug uniformity and in vitro diffusion study. The diffusion studies were performed by using diffusion cell. The formulation, FP4 (sodium alginate and pectin) and FX8 (sodium alginate and xanthan gum) showed maximum release of 89.65±0.38 and 94.53±0.78 % in 24 hrs. The drug release rate followed diffusion mechanism (Higuchi) with first order release kinetics. The optimized formulation (FP4 and FX8) were further study for in vitro drug release using rat skin. Stability studies were performed for 3 months as per ICH guidelines, and results revealed that formulations were stable.