A Transient Simulation to Predict the Kinetic Behavior of Hydrogels Responsive to Electric Stimulus

Background and Objectives: To develop electro-sensitive transdermal drug delivery systems (ETDDS) using polyacrylamide-grafted-pectin (PAAm-g-PCT) copolymer hydrogel for rivastigmine delivery. Methods: Free radical polymerization and alkaline hydrolysis technique was employed to synthesize PAAm-g-PCT copolymer hydrogel. The PAAm-g-PCT copolymeric hydrogel was used as a reservoir and cross-linked blend films of PCT and poly(vinyl alcohol) as rate-controlling membranes (RCMs) to prepare ETDDS. Results: The pH of the hydrogel reservoir was found to be in the range of 6.81 to 6.93 and drug content was 89.05 to 96.29%. The thickness of RCMs was in the range of 51 to 99 μ and RCMs showed permeability behavior against water vapors. There was a reduction in the water vapor transmission rate as the glutaraldehyde (GA) concentration was increased. The drug permeation rate from the ETDDS was enhanced under the influence of electric stimulus against the absence of an electric stimulus. The increase in flux by 1.5 fold was recorded with applied electric stimulus. The reduction in drug permeability observed when the concentration of GA was increased. Whereas, the permeability of the drug was augmented as an electric current was changed from 2 to 8 mA. The pulsatile drug release under “on– off” cycle of electric stimulus witnessed a faster drug release under ‘on’ condition and it was slow under ‘off’ condition. The alteration in skin composition after electrical stimulation was confirmed through histopathology studies. Conclusion: The PAAm-g-PCT copolymer hydrogel is a useful carrier for transdermal drug delivery activated by an electric signal to provide on-demand release of rivastigmine.

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Electrically Triggered Transdermal Drug Delivery Utilizing Poly(Acrylamide)-graft-Guar Gum: Synthesis, Characterization and Formulation Development

Current Applied Polymer Science ◽

10.2174/2452271602666181031093243 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 64-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ravindra P. Birajdar ◽

Sudha S. Patil ◽

Vijaykumar V. Alange ◽

Raghavendra V. Kulkarni

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Electric Current ◽

Transdermal Drug Delivery ◽

Guar Gum ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Formulation Development ◽

Neutralization Equivalent ◽

Electric Stimulus ◽

Drug Permeation ◽

Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems

Objective: The study aimed to prepare electrically-triggered transdermal drug delivery systems (ETDS) using electrically responsive polyacrylamide-graft-gaur gum (PAAm-g-GaG) copolymer. Methods: The PAAm-g-GaG copolymer was synthesized by adopting free radical polymerization grafting method. This PAAm-g-GaG copolymer hydrogel acts as a drug reservoir and blend films of Guar Gum (GaG) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) were included as Rate Controlling Membranes (RCM) in the system. The PAAm-g-GaG copolymer was characterized by FTIR, neutralization equivalent values, thermogravimetric analysis and elemental analysis. Results: On the basis of results obtained, it is implicit that the drug permeation decreased with an increase in the concentration of glutaraldehyde and RCM thickness; while drug permeation rate was increased with increasing applied electric current strength from 2 to 8 mA. A two fold increase in flux values was observed with the application of DC electric current. An increase in drug permeation was witnessed under on condition of electric stimulus and permeation was decreased when electric stimulus was "off". The skin histopathology study confirmed the changes in skin structure when electrical stimulus was applied. Conclusion: The electrically-sensitive PAAm-g-GaG copolymer is a useful biomaterial for transdermal drug delivery application.

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