Development of ketorolac tromethamine loaded biocompatible polymeric microspheres and matrix films: designing for topical application

Abstract

Ketorolac Tromethamine (KT) is a powerful and important active ingredient in the pyrropyrrole group of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). In this study, microspheres of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared by crosslinking with FeCl3. KT-loaded microspheres were coated with ethyl cellulose (EC) film to obtain transdermal patches. The cumulative release ranged between 22 and 82%. Moreover, equilibrium swelling values, entrapment efficiency, drug loading capacity, crosslinking density, and film thickness were examined. Microspheres and EC films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).