Formulation and Evaluation of Iontophoretic Transdermal Delivery of Diltiazem Hydrochloride

Abstract

The purpose of this research work was to develop and evaluate Iontophoretic Transdermal Delivery of Diltiazem Hydrochloride with various hydrophilic polymers HPMC, SCMC and PVA with propylene glycol as plasticizer by solvent casting method. The physicochemical compatibility of the drug and the polymers was studied by infrared spectroscopy. Diltiazem hydrochloride patch were characterized by physicochemical characteristics like thickness, weight variation, drug content, folding endurance, percentage moisture loss, percentage moisture absorption, water vapour transmission rate, tensile strength and ex vivo skin permeation studies were performed using Franz’s diffusion cell and in vitro permeation by using iontophoresis. The formulations exhibited uniform thickess, folding endurance, weight and good uniformity in drug content. The prepared transdermal patches were subjected to in vitro drug permeation studies by using rat skin in Phosphate Buffer pH 7.2 for 24 hrs (passive and iontophoresis). On the basis of invitro drug release and ex vivo skin permeation performance, formulation F3 was found to be better than the other formulations. Electrodes for iontophoresis were made up of platinum wire and current density 0.5 mA/cm² has been used for permeation enhancement. The formulation F₃ was subjected to different current density from 0.4 mA/cm² to 0.6mA/cm² and it was found that permeability gradually increases with the increase in the current density. Kinetic data revealed that the drug release followed zero order nonfickian diffusion mechanism. The results of the study show that Diltiazem HCl could be administered transdermally by using iontophoresis through the matrix type TDDS for effective control of angina pectoris and hypertension.