Improvement in Transdermal Bioavailability of Nitroglycerin by Formulation Design

Abstract

AbstractControlled skin permeation kinetics of nitroglycerin delivered by the three once-a-day transdermal therapeutic systems was recently evaluated and compared using the freshly excised hairless mouse abdominal skin mounted in a finite-dosing Frantz diffusion cell assembly. The kinetics of skin permeation from the conventional ointment formulation was also studied using the same in vitro skin permeation system.Six experimental formulations of nitroglycerin were developed, aiming to enhance the permeation rate of nitroglycerin through intact skin. The kinetics of skin permeation of nitroglycerin from these experimental formulations was also investigated, using the same in vitro skin permeation system, and compared to the conventional ointment formulation as well as the newly marketed once-a-day transdermal therapeutic systems. Results indicated that the rates of skin permeation can be greatly improved by proper formulation design.