Development and evaluation of transdermal patches of aceclofenac

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate matrix-type transdermal therapeutic system containing aceclofenac with different ratios of hydrophilic polymers (hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose, sodium carboxy methylcellulose) and a hydrophobic polymer (ethyl cellulose).Thirteen aceclofenac transdermal patch formulations consisting of hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose polymeric combinations were prepared by solvent casting. These prepared transdermal patches were evaluated for in vitro release, weight variation, moisture content, folding endurance, thickness, drug content and swelling studies. The diffusion studies were performed by using modified Franz diffusion cell. The formulation, F10 showed the maximum release of 98.18 % in 4 h, where as F2 showed the maximum release of 93.22 % in 8 h. Formulation, F9 showed the minimum release of 41.4 % in 8 h. Hence F2 (ethylcellulose: hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose ratio 3:2), exhibited good physicochemical properties, zero order in-vitro drug release and flux was selected as the best among all for transdermal drug delivery. So it can be reasonably concluded that aceclofenac can be formulated into the transdermal matrix type patches to sustain its release characteristics.