Refining natural rubber matrix for electrically stimulated transdermal drug delivery

ABSTRACT

This work focuses on the enhancement of transdermal delivery of indomethacin (IN) from natural rubber matrix by deproteinization, the addition of ethylene glycol (EG) as a plasticizer, and the enlarged matrix size under electrical field. The starting double-centrifuge natural rubber (DCNR) was deproteinized to produce the deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR). Both DCNR and DPNR patches were fabricated by the UV curing method, and blended with EG to enhance the IN loading and release–permeation. Using a pig skin to simulate the human skin, the IN release–permeation was found to increase with increasing plasticizer, removed protein, and applied electrical potential.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Drug delivery
• electrical potential
• ionic drug
• natural rubber
• plasticizer

Additional information

Funding

The work received financial supports from the Conductive and Electroactive Polymers Research Unit (CEAP) and the CU 2nd Century Grant, the Thailand Research Fund (TRF-RTA, TRF-RDG), and the Royal Thai Government.