Formulation and Optimization of Magnoflorine-Loaded Transdermal Patches for Sustained Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are a major health concern worldwide. The existing oral and injectable formulations have limitations such as low bioavailability, systemic toxicity, and poor patient compliance, making the need for a continuous and non-invasive drug delivery system an area of prime importance.

Aim: The aim of the current study is to design and develop optimized transdermal patches of magnoflorine for controlled anti-inflammatory therapy.

Methods: Transdermal patches of magnoflorine were prepared using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and ethyl cellulose (EC) using the solvent casting method. Polyethylene glycol 400 was used as a plasticizer and oleic acid as a permeation enhancer. The formulation was optimized by changing the ratio of the polymers, plasticizer, and enhancer. The patches were tested for their physical properties, thickness, weight, folding endurance, moisture content, drug content uniformity, in vitro drug release, and stability. The release kinetics of the drug was studied using zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-peppas equations.

Results: The optimized formulation (F3) had a uniform thickness of 0.25 mm, excellent folding endurance of 260 cycles, and high drug content uniformity of 98.4%. In vitro release studies revealed the sustained release of drugs up to 96.2% in 24 hours, following diffusion-controlled Higuchi kinetics. Stability studies revealed negligible changes in appearance, drug content, and release characteristics for three months.

Conclusion: Magnoflorine transdermal patches provide a stable, non-invasive, and sustained-release platform for chronic anti-inflammatory therapy, enhancing efficacy and patient compliance while minimizing systemic side effects.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory therapy; Drug delivery systems; HPMC–ethyl cellulose matrix; Magnoflorine; Sustained release; Transdermal patches.