Lercanidipine hydrochloride (LRDP) is used in the treatment of hypertension because of its selectivity and specificity on the smooth vascular cells. The pharmacokinetic parameters make LRDP a suitable candidate for transdermal delivery. The purpose of the study was to select a suitable formulation for the development of transdermal drug-delivery system (TDDS) of LRDP and to determine the effect of penetration enhancer, limonene on drug permeation
The matrix type TDDS of LRDP were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. Formulations A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6 were composed of Eudragit RL100 (ERL) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) in 1.5:8.5, 3:7, 4:6, 6:4, 7:3 and 8.5:1.5 ratios respectively. All the six formulations carried 10 mg of LRDP/patch area, 8% v/w of d-limonene as a penetration enhancer, 20% v/w of propylene glycol as plasticizer in methanol and dichloromethane as solvent system. The prepared TDDS were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, in-vitro release, ex-vivo permeation and skin irritation. The ex-vivo permeation studies were carried out across excised rat skin using Franz diffusion cell.
All the formulations exhibited satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. Cumulative percentage of the drug released in 24 hrs from the six formulations were 82.0%, 74.9%, 63.2%, 63.5%, 59.8% and 53.5% respectively. Corresponding values for the cumulative amounts of the drug permeated across the rat skin for the above matrix films were 2644.5, 2347.2, 2249.5, 1933.4, 2021.5 and 1663.4 µg/cm2 respectively. By fitting the data into zero order, first order and Higuchi model, it was concluded that drug release from matrix films followed Higuchi model and the mechanism of the drug release was diffusion mediated. The patches were seemingly free of potentially hazardous skin irritation.
The patches composed of ERL, HPMC (1.5:8.5) with 8% v/w limonene as penetration enhancer may be selected for the development of TDDS of LRDP for potential therapeutic use by using a suitable adhesive layer and backing membrane.
It has been shown that transdermal route of administration is not subjected to the hepatic first pass effect which result in the required systemic bioavailability of the drug (
Lercanidipine hydrochloride (LRDP) is used in the treatment of hypertension because of its selectivity and specificity on the smooth vascular cells. The drug is administered orally at a dose of 10–20 mg daily as its hydrochloride salt and reduces the diastolic blood pressure significantly (
In the present investigation, an attempt was made to deliver LRDP transdermally via patches to overcome drawback of poor oral bioavailability and erratic oral absorption. Survey of literature and patent databases did not reveal any transdermal dosage form of LRDP for the purpose of improving bioavailability. Hence, the objective of present investigation was to formulate transdermal polymeric films with ERL and HPMC containing LRDP using
Lercanidipine hydrochloride and Eudragit RL 100 were gifts samples from Sun Pharmaceuticals (Baroda, India), and Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals (Hyderabad, India) respectively.
Albino rats weighing 150–200 gm were selected for permeation studies. The animals were sacrificed using anesthetic ether. The hair of the test animals was carefully trimmed short with a pair of scissors and the full thickness skin was removed from the abdominal region. The epidermis was prepared surgically by heat separation technique (
Franz diffusion cell with a surface area of 2.64 cm2 was used for
The drug concentration in the permeates was corrected for sampling effects according to the equation described by Hayton and Chen (
Where
As described by Barry (
where, A is the effective diffusion area; Cs, the concentration in the saturated solution and (dQ/dt)ss is the steady state. slope.
The penetration enhancing effect of d-limonene was calculated in terms of enhancement ratio (ER) by using the following equation (
The cumulative amount permeated and flux values obtained were tested for significant differences using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or unpaired t test.
The matrix type transdermal patches containing LRDP were prepared using different ratios of ERL and HPMC (
Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Lercanidipine hydrochloride Transdermal Patches
| Cod | Drug (mg) | Polymer | Weight (mg) | Thickness (µ) | Folding Endurance | Drug content (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||
| LRDP | ERL: HPMC | |||||
| A1 | 100 | 1.5:8.5 | 131.5±5.27 | 326±6.53 | 30.3±3.51 | 9.9±0.59 |
| A2 | 100 | 3:7 | 135.2±2.82 | 301±7.10 | 31.3±1.52 | 10.3±0.35 |
| A3 | 100 | 4:6 | 124.7±4.56 | 301±3.34 | 26.7±3.51 | 10.5±0.39 |
| A4 | 100 | 6:4 | 117.5±6.53 | 275±6.36 | 48.3±4.50 | 10.1±0.12 |
| A5 | 100 | 7:3 | 119.0±4.08 | 264±2.26 | 46.0±4.58 | 10.1±0.28 |
| A6 | 100 | 8.5:1.5 | 125.3±2.98 | 250±4.12 | 52.3±2.51 | 10.5±1.06 |
Note: Each patch (2.64 cm2) contained 10 mg of lercanidipine hydrochloride.
20% v/w of propylene glycol to the total polymer weight, incorporated as plasticizer.
8% v/w of d-limonene to the total polymer weight was used as penetration enhancer.
All values are expressed as mean±SD (n=3). ERL indicates Eudragit RL 100; HPMC, Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose.
The thickness of patches was assessed at 6 different points using digital micrometer (Mitutoyo, Japan) and for each formulation, three randomly selected patches were used. For weight variation test, 3 films (each 2.64 cm2) from each batch were weighed individually and the average weight was calculated.
The folding endurance was measured manually as the reported method (
Longitudinal strips were cut from the prepared patch, the length of each strip was measured and then the variation in the length due to the non-uniformity in flatness was measured. Flatness was calculated by measuring constriction of strips, and 0% constriction was considered to be 100% flatness (
Patch (2.64 cm2) from each formulation was taken, cut into small pieces and was allowed to dissolve in a 100 ml solution containing 15 ml of methanol and 85 ml of 40% v/v PEG 400 in PBS pH 7.4. The solution was filtered, diluted suitably and the absorbance of the solution was measured using UV/visible spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 354 nm against reference solution prepared with placebo films.
The films were weighed individually and kept in a desiccator containing activated silica at room temperature for 24 hrs. The individual films were weighed repeatedly until a constant weight was achieved. The percentage of moisture content was calculated as the difference between initial and final weight with respect to the final weight (
The films were weighed accurately and placed in a desiccator containing 200 ml of saturated solution of potassium chloride (84% relative humidity) at room temperature. After 3 days, the films were taken out and weighed. The percentage of moisture uptake was calculated as the difference between final and initial weight with respect to initial weight (
The
between 12000 to 14000 (Himedia, Mumbai, India) and was further placed between compartments of diffusion cell. The dialysis membrane had been soaked for 24 hrs in 40% v/v PEG 400 in PBS of pH 7.4. The donor compartment was open at the top and exposed to atmosphere. The donor and receptor compartments held together using a clamp and receptor compartment was provided with sampling port. The receptor compartments contained 13 ml of 40% v/v PEG 400 in PBS of pH 7.4 and the contents were stirred at a speed of 400 rpm. The whole assembly was kept on a magnetic stirrer and study was conducted at a temperature of 37±0.5°C. The samples of 3 ml were collected at preset time points up to 24 hrs and replenished with fresh medium. The samples were filtered using syringe filter (Sartorius 0.45µ) and drug content in the samples was estimated using UV/ visible spectrophotometer at 354 nm. Cumulative percentage of the released drug was calculated and plotted against time.
Franz diffusion cell with a surface area of 2.64 cm2 was used for ex-vivo permeation studies. Excised rat skin was mounted between the compartments of the diffusion cell with stratum corneum facing the donor compartment. The stratum corneum side of the skin was kept in intimate contact with the transdermal patch under the test. The receiver compartment contained 13 ml of 40% v/v PEG 400 in PBS of pH 7.4, stirred with a magnetic stirrer at a speed of 400 rpm. The whole assembly was kept on a magnetic stirrer and study was conducted at 37±0.5°C. The amount of the permeated drug was determined by removing 3 ml at preset time points up to 24 hrs and replenishing with an equal volume of fresh medium. The samples were filtered using syringe filter (Sartorius 0.45µ) and the absorbance was measured at 354 nm spectrophotometrically. The cumulative amount of drug permeated was calculated and plotted against time.
The study was conducted on the basis of the approval of institutional animal ethical committee. Albino rabbits of either sex, each weighing 1.5 to 2.0 kg were used in this study (n=3 in each group). They were housed in cages in the animal house under controlled temperature and light conditions. They were fed a standard laboratory diet and had access to water
The effect of concentration of d-limonene on cumulative permeation through rat skin is shown in
Effect of concentration of d-limonene on cumulative permeation, mean±SD (n=3).
The effectiveness of hydrocarbon limonene has also been demonstrated for other lipophilic drugs such as ketoprofen and valsartan (
The results of the physicochemical characterization of the patches are shown in
The results of % moisture uptake and % moisture content studies are shown in
Moisture uptake and moisture content of lercanidipine patches, mean±S.D (n=3).
The results of
Data of the
where, Mt/M8 is the fractional release of the drug, Mt is the amount released at time t, M8 is the total amount of drug contained in the transdermal patch, t is the release time, K is a kinetic constant, and n is the diffusional release exponent indicative of the operating release mechanism. The n values obtained (0.527 to 0.626) by this equation indicated that the drug release was by non-fickian model.
The results of ex-vivo drug permeation studies from transdermal patches are shown in
In vitro Drug Release, Ex vivo Skin Permeation, Transdermal Flux and Permeability Coefficient of Lercanidipine hydrochloride Transdermal Patches
| Formulation Code | Q24a (%) | Q24b (µg/cm2) | Jssc (µg/cm2/hr>) | Kpd (cm hr-1#x0xB4; 10-2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 82.0±8.93 | 2644.5±91.73 | 106.5±3.61 | 2.76±0.093 |
| A2 | 74.9±10.42 | 2347.2±83.74 | 94.2±3.18 | 2.44±0.082 |
| A3 | 63.2±9.46 | 2249.5±60.25 | 92.5±2.30 | 2.40±0.059 |
| A4 | 63.5±11.43 | 1933.4±79.42 | 82.1±3.17 | 2.05±0.082 |
| A5 | 59.8±5.34 | 2021.5±68.40 | 872±2.15 | 2.19±0.071 |
| A6 | 53.5±8.46 | 1663.4±58.37 | 72.1±2.25 | 1.81±0.058 |
Q24a Cumulative% of the drug that released, results are the mean±SD of triplicate observations.
Q24b Cumulative amount (µg) of the drug that permeated per cm2, results are mean±SD of triplicate observations.
Jssc Transdermal flux, values represent mean±SD (n=3).
Kpd Permeability Coefficient, values represent mean±SD (n=3).
The primary skin irritancy study of the transdermal patches, placebo patch and patch A1 showed a skin irritation score (erythema and edema) of less than 2 (
Skin Irritation Scorns Following Transdsrmal Patch Administration
| Rabbit No. | Group I (without any drug) | Group II (A1) | Group III (Formalin) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||
| Erythema |
Edema |
Erythema | Edema | Erythema | Edema | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
|
|
0.34±0.58 |
0.67±0.58 |
0.34±0.58 |
0.67±0.58 |
3±0 | 1.67±0.58 |
p<0.05, significant compared with formalin.
: Erythema scale: 0, none; 1, slight; 2, well defined; 3, moderate; and 4, scar formation.
: Edema scale: 0, none; 1, slight; 2, well defined; 3, moderate; and 4, severe.
Based on the results of this study, it may be concluded that polymers selected were better suited for the development of TDDS of LRDP and the formulation A1 may be used for further pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in humans or animals.
The authors are grateful to the management of the institute, Sultan-Ul-Uloom Educational Society, Banjarahills, Hyderabad for providing the facilities. The authors acknowledge M/s Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals, Hyderabad, India and Sun Pharmaceuticals (Baroda, India) for gift samples of Eudragit RL100 and lercanidipine hydrochloride respectively.