Effect of Natural Oils as Permeation Enhancer for Transdermal Delivery of Telmisartan

Abstract

Aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility of natural oils as permeation enhancers for the development of a transdermal delivery system of telmisartan. The penetration-enhancing potential of olive oil and clove oil on in-vitro permeation of telmisartan across shed snake skin was studied. The patches were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics, in-vitro drug release, and in-vitro permeation studies. The system containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and Eudragit L-100 (6:4) as matrix forming agents and dibutyl phthalate (20%) as plasticizer was selected as the best formulation for incorporation of natural oils as penetration enhancers. All transdermal patches were found to be uniform with respect to physical characteristics. Formulation (T7) containing 10% olive oil was found to be a promising natural permeation enhancer for transdermal delivery of telmisartan with the greatest cumulative amount of drug permeated (1536 μg/cm2) over 24 h. The studies indicated that the feasibility of transdermal delivery of telmisartan as a patch is likely to suffice the therapeutic requirement.