PHARMACEUTICS & PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY

Background: Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) systems offer a non-invasive and efficient
means of administering therapeutic agents in a controlled manner. Purpose: To investigate how the incorporation of castor oil affects diclofenac potassium
transdermal films. Methods: Patches of diclofenac potassium were prepared using the solvent casting method. Patches labelled PQ0, PQ1, PQ2, PQ3, PO1, PO2, PO3 were prepared by dissolving a
combination of measured amount of HPMC and diclofenac potassium in distilled water. Next, calculated amount of Tween 80 and castor oil were added. This mixture was then agitated for
approximately five minutes to form a slur, then poured into a petri dish and allowed to air dry for
48 hours. Air-dried patches were cut into ten 1x1cm2 sections. Cut patches were evaluated for
their physicochemical properties, bioadhesion, drug content, folding endurance, in vitro and ex
vivo release profile. Results: Physicochemical tests demonstrated slightly varying weight and thickness, but were
still within the pharmaceutically acceptable range of 5 ± 10% according to the USP. Bioadhesion
test showed an increase with reduction in percentage of castor oil (5%). Highest bioadhesion
obtained from a batch with oil was 2.90g/sec (batch without oil gave bioadhesion of 3.60 g/sec). Evaluation for the drug content demonstrated no significant difference. Also, folding endurance
test demonstrated a good range between 200 - 400 folds. In vitro and ex vivo tests showed a
better release with batches where the drug was dispersed in the oily phase with ex vivo peaking
80% release. Conclusion: This study suggests that transdermal patches formulated by dispersing drug in the
lowest percentage of oil possible (in this case, 5%) promises good bioadhesion and better
diclofenac release across skin.

Objectives: To assess and compare the decomposition performance of carboxymethylated and acid-hydrolyzed bitter sweet potato starch in the formulation of Paracetamol tablets. Method: Bitter sweet potato starch, extracted from African bitter sweet potatoes, was subjected to modifications through carboxymethylation and acid hydrolysis. Subsequently, various concentrations (5% w/w, 7.5% w/w, and 10% w/w) of carboxymethylated acid-hydrolyzed bitter sweet potato starch were utilized to prepare distinct batches of Paracetamol tablets employing the direct granulation method. The granules were subjected to an evaluation of flow properties, including angle of repose, Carr index, and Hausner ratio, while the tablets underwent assessment for weight uniformity, crush resistance, fragility, disintegration time, wetting time, and solubility. Results: All particles exhibited free-flowing characteristics with an angle of repose of less than 33 (< 33°), a Hausner ratio of less than 1.5 (< 1.0%. Wetting times were consistently < 2 minutes, and decomposition times were < 5 minutes. Dissolution studies revealed that tablets containing bittersweet potato starch hydrolyzed at 10°Fexhibited a drug release rate of 100%, while those with starch hydrolyzed at 10°F displayed drug release rate of 96.39%. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both carboxymethylated and acid-hydrolyzed starches result in shorter decomposition times and improved solubility properties. This implies that acid hydrolysis and carboxymethylation enhance the decomposition and solubility characteristics of starch, making it a cost-effective alternative to sodium starch glycolate in pharmaceutical applications.