DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF PIROXICAM LOADED BIOPOLYMER BASED TRANSDERMAL FILM

The aim of the present study was to formulate biopolymer based transd ermal film loaded with Piroxicam ( PX ). Transdermal films were prepared by using sodium locust bean gum (LBG) and Sodium alginate (SA) as biopolymers by varying t he blend ratios by solution casting method. The drug loaded membranes were evaluated for thick ness, tensile behaviours , content uniformity; transdermal permeation of PX through rat abdominal skin was determined by Franz diffusion cell. In vitro skin permeation profile of optimized formulation was compared with that of PX conventional gel. Carrageen induced rat paw edema model was used to investigate the in vivo performances. Menthol (3%) and glycerin (3%) are used as permeation enhancer and pl asticizer, respectively. PX was found to be compatible and stable with the prepared formulation as confirme d by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC), studies. In vitro release studies revels effectiveness after 24 h when compared with the conventional gel. The film does not show any signs of edema, erythema or ulceration. From the in vitro skin permeation and anti inflammatory activity data it can be concluded that the developed optimized formulation (F3 ) has good potential to achieve the transdermal drug delivery of PX for effective therapy. K eywords : Pir oxicam ; Locust bean gum ; Sodium alginate; Transdermal film; Anti Inflammatory activity.