Formulation and Evaluation of Diclofenac potassium Transdermal Gel

Noha M. Badawi; Samya H. Shalaby; Amal A. Ammar; Dalia A. Attia

Volume : V, Issue : III, March - 2016

Formulation and Evaluation of Diclofenac potassium Transdermal Gel

Noha M. Badawi, Samya H. Shalaby, Amal A. Ammar, Dalia A. Attia

Abstract :

Diclofenac potassium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the phenylacetic acid group which showed remarkable anti-inflammatory effect than the traditional Diclofenac sodium that is found on the market. The oral use of Diclofenac potassium is not recommended as it has many side effects. The present study was designed to formulate and evaluate different formulae of transdermal gel containing Diclofenac potassium. The gel was formulated by using different polymers as HPMC, CMC, Carbopol940, HPMC & CMC mixture and HPMC & Carbopol940 mixture with and without penetration enhancers as propylene glycol and ethanol. Drug-excipients compatibility studies were confirmed by carrying out FT-IR, DSC and XRD. Ten prepared different formulae were characterized physically in terms of colour, homogeneity, texture, pH, spreadability, drug content and rheological properties. In-vitro drug permeation study through cellulose memane in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4, were performed. The rheological behavior of the prepared formulae showed shear-thinning flow indicating structural eakdown of the existing intermolecular interactions between polymeric chains. In addition, evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Diclofenac potassium from selected formulae was done using Rat Paw Edema method. The results of in vitro permeation studies showed that the highest values was obtained fromF2 (95.78 % of drug permeated after 24 hr.). Also F2 showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity (63.5% percent edema inhibition after 8 hrs.) in comparison with the results of the marketed formulation Olfen� gel (1% of Diclofenac sodium) (21.2% percent edema inhibition after 8 hrs).