Piroxicam Release from Dermatological Base: In-Vitro Studies using Cellulose Membrane and Hairless Mouse Skin

Abstract

Piroxicam is one of the most potent non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory agents which also exhibits antipyretic activity. Piroxicam is well absorbed following the oral administration, however, its use has been associated with a number of gastro-intestinal disorders including bleeding and ulceration. To overcome these side effects, this study was undertaken to develop diadermatic dosage form using various polymeric gel and ointment bases containing 1% piroxicam were prepared to study the in-vitro release of the drug. Also, a series of additive ingredients, such as, alcohol USP, polyethylene glycol-400 and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were incorporated in these formulations at various concentration levels to evaluate their effects on drug release. The general rank order for the in-vitro drug release from all the bases evaluated was: gel base > hydrophillic base > emulsion base. In general, additives had little or no effect in enhancing the drug release from these bases. The in-vitro release data were treated with various kinetic principles to assess the relevant parameters, such as, diffusion coefficient, permeability coefficient, partition coefficient, zero order and first order rate constants. Among the formulations evaluated, the gel base containing (DMSO) gave the best in-vitro drug release both through the cellulose membrane and the hairless mouse skin.