Effect of Isopropyl Myristate and Oleic Acid as the Penetration Enhancer on Transdermal Patch: Characteristics and In-Vitro Diffusion

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Science, Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka, Jakarta 13460, Indonesia

Abstract

The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) delivers meloxicam (MX) that can reduce the adverse effects of orally administered MX with a chemical enhancer. Solid dispersion of meloxicam is used to help increase its solubility. Chemical penetration enhancers interact with skin components to enhance drug molecule flux. This study examines how isopropyl myristate (IPM) and oleic acid (OA), as penetration enhancers, affect the characteristics of transdermal patches and MX diffusion in-vitro. Patches with IPM (1-10% b/b) or OA (5-20% b/b) were prepared, and their characteristics were compared with patches without enhancers. The patches' physical appearance, weight variance, thickness, folding endurance, and pH were all evaluated. For drug-carrier compatibility in the solid dispersion, FTIR investigations were carried out; the Franz diffusion cell was utilized to examine in- vitro diffusion characteristics. Patch characteristics obtained were weight variance of 482±2.78 to 541±1.49 mg; thickness 0.85±0.02 to 0.94±0.01 mm; drug content 99.1±1.2 to 99.7±0.6%; folding endurance >300; pH 5.22±0.02 to 5.45±0.02. The MX permeated from IPM-MX and OA-MX patches showed the highest flux, at 83.789 m/cm2h and 84.405 m/cm2h, respectively. The data suggest that OA can be applied as a penetration enhancer for transdermal administration of MX through matrix-type patches. The most effective enhancer was OA, which had an excellent diffusion flux of 84.405 g/cm2h, cumulative MX permeated of 720.50±1.93 g/cm2, and an enhancement ratio of 1.070 with negative lag time.

Keywords