Cooperation extended by all colleagues of

Analytical Research Division is gratefully acknowledged. “
“Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is designed AG-014699 in vivo to deliver a therapeutic agent across the intact skin for both local and systemic effects.1 Transdermal systems include formulations such as ointments, gels, creams, pastes, lotions and the most commonly available transdermal patches. Transdermal patch is a medicated device that delivers drugs through the skin for systemic effects at a programmed and controlled rate.2 The advantages of transdermal drug delivery is, provides controlled release of the drug to the patient and enables a steady blood level profile, avoidance of first-pass hepatic metabolism and helps in the rapid termination of therapy.3 Furthermore, the dosage form of transdermal patch is user friendly, convenient and offers multi-day dosing. Matrix type transdermal formulations have been developed for a number of drugs such as nitroglycerine, ephedrine etc.4 Captopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE) used in the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction. It has comparatively short elimination half life ranging from 1.6 to 1.9 h, hence requires high oral dosing.5 The impermeability of human skin is a fundamental problem find more to overcome for the therapeutic use of TDDS. Although many approaches have

been proposed to overcome the difficulties of making the drug penetrate through the tough layers of the stratum corneum, chemical permeation enhancers shown to be the promising agents in facilitating the transportation of drugs across the skin. In the present research work, an effort has been made to develop a suitable matrix type transdermal patches containing captopril by employing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 as a film former at different concentrations. Furthermore, in order to improve the skin permeation of captopril, menthol and aloe vera were used as penetration enhancers.

Propylene glycol (PG) employed as a plasticizer and also possess permeation enhancers. Release and permeation profiles of captopril from film preparations were examined in the ex vivo studies many using a Franz-type diffusion cell. Captopril, HPMC and PEG 400 were purchased from Fisher scientific, Selangor, Malaysia. PG, menthol and aloe vera were purchased from Sigma lab, Selangor, Malaysia. All other materials used were of analytical grade. Drug samples were characterized by UV spectrophotometer (Perkin–Elmer). Matrix type transdermal patches of captopril were prepared by solvent casting method.6 Polymeric solution were prepared by dissolving the polymers (HPMC, PEG 400) in purified water. Weighed amount of captopril was dissolved in the polymeric solution; propylene glycol (10% w/w) was incorporated as plasticizer followed by penetration enhancer.