DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF PECTIN BASED MATRIX FOR TRANSDERMAL PATCHES OF MELOXICAM

Abstract

Transdermal drug delivery system was developed
using meloxicam as a model drug. Meloxicam is a
non steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug.
The suitability of drug with respect to solubility,
lower molecular weight and short half life makes
this drug as a suitable candidate for administration
by transdermal route. The polymer selected for the
study is pectin. The polymer is non-toxic and
biodegradable in nature. In the present
investigation various concentration ratios of
polymer were used for the fabrication of the matrix
diffusion controlled transdermal drug delivery
system by solvent evaporation technique. These
transdermal drug delivery systems were
characterized for their thickness, weight variation,
folding endurance, swelling index, content
uniformity, compatibility, in-vitro release and skin
irritation studies of the drug from the polymeric
matrix. Meloxicam was found to be compatible
with pectin as revealed by Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) studies and showed
satisfactory physiochemical characteristics. In-vitro
release studies were carried out with modified
Franz diffusion cell using pH 7.4 phosphate buffer

as receptor medium and it showed controlled
release of drug. Thus the prepared transdermal
films can be used to achieve controlled release and
improved bioavailability of meloxicam.