Preparation of transdermal films for controlled release of Donepezil HCL

Transdermal drug delivery systems, also known as “patches” have been attracted a great deal of attention for the past few decades since it delivers the drug through the skin in a predetermined and controlled. Transdermal delivery is a viable alternative to conventional oral therapy and provides a controlled drug release by increasing patient compliance and avoiding first-pass metabolism. Donepezil Hydrochloride is an active pharmaceutical ingredient for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) It has been widely used by oral route. But this type of treatment may have some disadvantages when a chronic neurological disorder is present because of the patient’s unwillingness to swallow and forgeting to take or carry pills in the day. So, transdermal patches can be used as an alternative treatment for AD. The aim of this study was to develop a transdermal drug delivery system for controlled release of Donepezil HCl. For this purpose, hydroxyethyl cellulose/sodium alginate/gelatin combined with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and PEG-400 in the formulation of transdermal patches. Transdermal patches were prepared by Franz diffusion cell method. Hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium alginate and gelatine as matrix-forming agent and transcutol as plasticizer was in the transdermal films. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy) was used to characterize the films. In vitro drug release studies were performed for donepezil hydrochloride-loaded hydrogels at 7.4. To study the release kinetics, data obtained from in-vitro drug release studies were plotted in various kinetic models which include zero order, first order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas. The results in the present investigation confirm the controlled release of Donepezil HCl and sodium alginate content of transdermal patch can extend the release of donepezil. The study demonstrates that the fabricated transdermal system of Donepezil HCl can be considered as a suitable alternative of the oral route. Also studies have shown promising results, further studies are needed for pharmacokinetic evaluation.