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Design and Evaluation of Patches for Transdermal Delivery of

Losartan Potassium
Dheeraj T. Baviskar, Venkatesh B. Parik, Hrishikesh N. Gupta, et al.

PDA J Pharm Sci and Tech 2012, 66 126-135

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Design and Evaluation of Patches for Transdermal Delivery

of Losartan Potassium
DHEERAJ T. BAVISKAR1,*, VENKATESH B. PARIK1, HRISHIKESH N. GUPTA1, AJIM H. MANIYAR1,
and DINESH K. JAIN2
1

KVPS Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, Boradi, Tal-Shirpur.Dist-Dhule. 425428 (MH) India and 2Department of
Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, IPS Academy, Indore. 452 012 (MP), India PDA, Inc. 2012
ABSTRACT: The present work comprises the formulation and evaluation of losartan potassium with a view to
developing and preparing a losartan potassium releasing system for transdermal applications. The aim of the study
was to prepare the transdermal patch of drug using different blends of polymers. Transdermal patches of losartan
potassium were prepared using ethyl cellulose (EC): polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), Eudragit RL-100: Eudragit RS-100
and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA): polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) using different ratios by the solvent casting technique.
Physicochemical parameters like flexibility, thickness, smoothness, moisture content, hardness, and tensile strength
were studied. The in vitro permeation study was carried out using a modified Keshery diffusion cell, and the
formulation followed the Higuchi diffusion mechanism. The blood pressure lowering response of all formulations was
studied using hypertension-induced rats by the chronic renal hypertension method. The formulation containing
Eudragit RL-100: Eudragit RS-100 as polymers showed satisfactory drug release pattern (hydrophobic polymers)
compared to combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers (EC: PVP) and PVA: PVP (hydrophilic
polymers). The amount of drug release from formulations containing hydrophilic polymers and combination of both
hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers were found to be less in comparison to the patches of hydrophobic polymers.
KEYWORDS: Losartan potassium, Transdermal patch, In vitro permeation, Hypertension, Eudragit
LAY ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to prepare and evaluate the transdermal patch of drug using
different polymers such as hydrophobic, combination of hydrophobic: hydrophilic, and hydrophilic. Losartan
potassium (hydrophilic) is the antihypertensive drug used for lowering increased blood pressure. Transdermal patches
of losartan potassium were prepared using different ratios of polymers by the solvent casting technique. The prepared
patches were evaluated for their flexibility, thickness, smoothness, moisture content, hardness, and tensile strength.
The in vitro permeation study was carried out using a diffusion cell. The blood lowering response of all formulations
was studied using hypertension-induced rats. The formulation containing hydrophobic polymers showed a satisfactory
drug release pattern compared to the combination of hydrophobic: hydrophilic polymers and the hydrophilic
polymers. Hence, the present study reveals that formulation of hydrophilic drug (losartan potassium) withhydrophobic
polymers exhibit good release properties as compared to that of hydrophilic polymers and combination of both
hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers.

1. Introduction
Delivery ofdrug into systemic circulation at a predetermined rate using skin as a site of application is a

* Corresponding author: Dr. Dheeraj T Baviskar,

Department of Pharmaceutics, KVPS Institute of
Pharmaceutical Education, Boradi, Shirpur-425428,
Dist:
Dhule,
Maharashtra,
India.
E-mail:
baviskar@sancharnet.in.
doi: 10.5731/pdajpst.2012.00854

126

recent approach to drug delivery. Transdermal drug

delivery promises many advantages over oral and intravenous administration. An ideal drug to be formulated for delivery as atransdermal drug should possess
several physicochemical prerequisites, such as short
half-life, small molecular size, low dose, among other
qualities (1). The number of drug molecules suitable
for transdermal delivery would significantly increase
with theuse of chemical penetration enhancers (2).
Transdermal delivery of drugs confers several advantagesover traditional administration methods. These
have been well documented and include avoidance of
hepatic first-pass metabolism, reduction in side effects
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(e.g., gastric irritation), better patient compliance, and

enhanced therapeutic efficacy (3).
The candidacy of many therapeutic agents for topical
administration is limited by the ability of the drugs to
permeate the skin, in particular the rate-limiting barrier of the stratum corneum (4). Many factors influence drug transport across the skin, including solubility, lipophilicity (5), molecular weight or size, and
hydrogen bonding ability (6). However, poor permeability and high dose are the major hurdles in delivery
across the skin. Panchagnula (7) and Stott et al. (8)
have suggested the use of solvent, for example, dimethylsulfoxideordimethylacetamide, and a complex
coacervation technique, respectively, for enhancement
of drug permeation through skin (7, 8). Manipulation
of the physicochemical properties, and the coadministration of chemical enhancers may increase transdermal delivery.
Losartan potassium is the drug of choice for sustained
release formulation becauseit has a low terminal elimination half-life of about 1.5 to 2 h and dose of about
50 100 mg, which requires frequent dosing necessary
to maintain the therapeutic blood level for long-term
treatment. The drug shows considerable first-pass metabolism in the liver and thereby has poor bioavailability (2535%) when administered orally. Low molecular weight (422.91) of the drug again indicates its
suitability for administration by the transdermal route.
Hence, in order to avoid its extensive first-pass metabolism, to improve its therapeutic efficacy by improving bioavailability and patient compliance, and as
well as to reduce the frequency of dosing and side
effects, the transdermal drug delivery approach was
considered to be better suitable for losartan potassium
(9). The objective of the present work was to formulate and evaluate the losartan potassium the form of a
matrix diffusion controlled transdermal drug delivery
system (TDDS) for in vitro release, in vivo study, and
mechanical properties.
2. Materials and Methods
Losartan potassium was obtained from Alkem Pvt.
Ltd. (Mumbai, India), Polvinyl alcohol was purchased
from CDH Laboratory reagent, (Mumbai, India),
polvinylpyrolidone K30 from Ozone International
(Mumbai, India), Eudragit RL-100 and Eudragit RS100 from Evonic-Degussa. India Pvt. Ltd., (Mumbai,
India), propylene glycol from NavNiketan Pharmaceuticals (Mumbai, India), dimethysulfoxide from RanbVol. 66, No. 2, MarchApril 2012

Figure 1
Formulation of transdermal patch: (a) casting solution in glass mould; (b) prepared transdermal
film.

axy Fine Chemicals Ltd. (Gurgaon, India). All other

chemicals and reagents used were of analytical reagent
grade.
2.1. Formulation of Transdermal Patches
Matrix-type transdermal patches of losartan potassium
were prepared by the solvent casting technique. Flat,
square-shaped, aluminum foil coated glass molds
having surface area of 25 cm2 were fabricated for
casting the patches (Figure 1).
2.1.1. Preparation of Transdermal Patches: The
casting solutions of different polymers were prepared
in their respective solvents. The drug, plasticizer, and
penetration enhancer were then mixed to the polymer
solution in the ratio as shown. The entrapped air
bubbles were removed by applying vacuum drying.
The casting solution (10 mL) was poured into glass
moulds and dried at room temperature for 24 h for
solvent evaporation. The patches were removed by
peeling and cut into square dimension of 3 3 cm
(9 cm2). These patches were kept in desiccator for
2 days for further drying and wrapped in aluminum
foil, packed in self-sealing covers (10, 11). Transdermal patches were prepared with different polymer
ratio, plasticizer concentration, and permeation enhancers (Tables I, II, and III).
2.1.2. Compatibility Studies: Compatibility studies
were carried out to assess any incompatibility between
the drug and polymers.
2.1.2.1. Fourier TransformInfrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy: FTIR study was carried out to check compatibility of drug with polymers. Infrared spectrum of
losartan potassium was determined on FTIR spectrophotometer using the KBr dispersion method. Then
the spectrum of dried mixture of drug and potassium
bromide was run followed by drug with various poly127

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TABLE I
Formulation of EC and PVP Combination

Code

Polymer
Ratio
EC/PVP

EC
(mg)

PVP
(mg)

Propylene
Glycol
(mL)

Losartan
K (mg)

F1
4:1
400
100
350
0.1
F2
3:2
300
200
350
0.1
EC, ethyl cellulose; PVP, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide.

DMSO
(mL)

Chloroform
(mL)

0.1
0.1

10
10

TABLE III
Formulation of PVA and PVP Combination

Code

Polymer
Ratio
PVA/PVP

PVA
(mg)

PVP
(mg)

Losartan
K (mg)

Propylene
Glycol
(mL)

F5
2:1
333
167
350
0.1
F6
1:1
250
250
350
0.1
PVA, polyvinyl alcohol; PVP, polyvinyl pyrrolidone; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide.

mers by using a Perkin-Elmer 1720 pharmaspec1

FTIR spectrometer (12, 13).
2.1.2.2. Differential Scanning Calorimetry: Differential scanning calorimetry (Shimadzu DSC-60A, Tokyo, Japan) was used to examine the thermal behaviourof losartan potassium and drug additive mixtures.
Compatibility studies were carried on samples of 1:1
physical mixtures of the drug (losartan potassium)
with various excipients viz. Eudragit RL100, Eudragit
RS100, and ethyl cellulose (EC). The 2 mg of sample
were heated in a hermetically sealed aluminum pans in
the temperature range of 25300 C at a heating rate of
10 C/min under nitrogen flow of 30 mL/min.
2.1.3. Evaluation of Transdermal Patches:
2.1.3.1. Physical Appearance: All the transdermal
patches were visually inspected for color, flexibility,
homogenecity, and smoothness.

DMSO
(mL)

Water
Upto
(mL)

0.1
0.1

10
10

2.1.3.2. Moisture Content: The films were weighed

individually and kept in a desiccator containing 10 g
of calcium chloride as desiccant at 37 C for 24 h.
The films were weighed again and again individually until each showed a constant weight. The final
weight was noted when there was no further change
in the weight of individual film. The percentage of
moisture content was calculated as a difference between initial and final weight with respect to final
weight (14).
2.1.3.3. Moisture Uptake: The films were weighed
accurately and placed in a desiccator where a humidity
condition (84%) was maintained by using saturated
solution of sodium chloride. The films were taken out
periodically and weighed over a period of 72 h. The
percentage of moisture absorption was calculated as
the difference between final and initial weight of the
films with respect to initial weight (15).

TABLE II
Formulation of Eudragit RL-100 and RS-100 Combination

Code

Polymer
Ratio
Eudragit
RL/RS100

F3
1:1
F4
2:3
DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide.
128

Eudragit
RL 100
(mg)

Eudragit
RS 100
(mg)

Losartan
K (mg)

Propylene
Glycol
(mL)

DMSO
(mL)

Ethanol:
Acetone
(mL)

125
100

125
250

350
350

0.1
0.1

0.1
0.1

10
10

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2.1.3.4. Thickness: A film thickness tester (Mitutoyomodel 4026F, Tokyo, Japan) was used to measure the
thicknesses of the prepared patches. The thickness was
measured at five different points of individual film and
the average of five readings with the standard deviation (SD) and standard error from the mean was calculated and recorded (16, 17).
2.1.3.5. Folding Endurance: Folding endurance was
measured manually for the prepared films. Each film
was repeatedly folded at the same place till it broke.
The number of times the film could be folded at the
same place without breaking gave the exact value of
folding endurance (18).
2.1.3.6. Tensile Strength: Tensile strength was evaluated using Instron Universal testing instrument (model
4206, Instron Ltd., Kawasaki, Japan) with a 2 kg load
cell. Films of a specific dimension and free from air
bubbles or physical imperfections were held between
two clamps positioned at a distance of 3 cm. For each
film, measurements were run in triplicate. Tensile
strength was calculated applying the following equation (19):
Tensile strength Force at break N/
Initial cross-sectional area of the sample mm2 .
2.1.3.7. Drug Content Uniformity: The patch (1 cm2)
was transferred into a graduated flask containing 100
mL of phosphate buffer pH 6.8. With mechanical
shaker the flask was shaken for 4 h. Then the solution
was filtered and, after suitable dilutions with phosphate buffer pH 6.8, the absorbance was measured at
249 nm using the placebo patch solution as blank and
the drug content was calculated (15, 20).
2.1.4. In Vitro Drug Release Studies: In vitro drug
release profiles were carried out by using modified
Keshery-Chein diffusion cell with the cellophane
membrane. The cellophane membrane was soaked
in 100 mL of phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 and then
cut into pieces of 7 cm 2 area (21). The receptor
phase was maintained at 370.5 C (20). It was
mounted on the diffusion cell and equilibrated with
receptor fluid for 15 min and used for the drug release
studies. The volume of diffusion cell was 10 mL. The
cell consists of two compartments, the donor and the
receptor compartments. The donor compartment was
in contact with the ambient conditions of the atmosphere. The receptor compartment was in contact with
Vol. 66, No. 2, MarchApril 2012

a solution in the receptor compartment (phosphate

buffer pH 7.4) and the contents were stirred by a
rod-shaped magnetic bead driven by a magnetic stirrer. One patch of 1 cm2 was placed in the donor
compartment of the diffusion cell. A 1 mL sample was
withdrawn at a predetermined time intervalsand replaced immediately with same volume of phosphate
buffer pH 7.4. The samples were analyzed for drug
content at 249 nm using UV-visible spectrophotometer after suitable dilution with phosphate buffer pH
7.4 (20).
2.1.5. Release Kinetics: To study the release kinetics
of in vitro drug release, data was treated according to
first-order (log percentage of drug to be released vs
time), Higuchis (percentage of drug released vs
square root of time), and zero-order (percentage of
drug released vs time) patterns (2225).
2.1.6. Stability Studies: The stability studies of the
formulated transdermal patches were carried out on
prepared films at different temperatures and relative
humidity (RH): 2530 C (60%RH) and 4550 C
(75%RH) over a period of 60 days. The patches were
wrapped in aluminum foil and stored in a desiccator
for stability study. The patches were characterized for
drug content and other parameters at regular intervals
(0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days) (26).
2.1.7. In Vivo Study (Anti-Hypertensive Study):
The in vivo studies were carried out on approval from
the institutional animal ethics committee (Boradi, India), and throughout the studies the committees
guidelines were followed.
The antihypertensive activities of optimized formulations were evaluated using the chronic renal hypertension in rats method developed by Vogel et al. (28).
Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 250 g were
randomly divided into six groups, each containing
seven rats. Rats were anaesthetized with 50 mg/kg
intraperitoneal pentobarbital. The fur on the back was
shaved and the skin was disinfected. In the left lumbar
area a flank incision was made parallel to the long axis
of the rat. The renal pedicel was exposed with the
kidney retracted to the abdomen. The renal artery was
dissected clean and a U-shaped silver clip was slipped
around it near the aorta. Using a forceps, the size of
the clip was adjusted so that the internal gap ranges
from 0.25 0.38 mm. The right kidney was removed
through a flank incision after tying off the renal pedicle. The skin incisions were closed by wound clips.
129

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Figure 2
IR spectra of losartan potassium, F2, F4, and F6 formulations.

Blood pressure was measured 4 5 weeks after clipping, and rats with values higher than 150 mm Hg
were selected for the experiments. Blood pressure
readings were taken on each of 3 days prior to application of patch by the tail cuff method. Patches were
applied for 3 days and predrug and 24 h postdrug
blood pressure readings were taken. Changes in systolic blood pressure were expressed in mm Hg. Com130

parisons were made using the one-way analysis of

variance (ANOVA) with Dunnetts multiple comparision test andpaired t-test for evaluation of statistical
significance (27).
2.1.8. Statistical Analysis: All drug release and skin
permeation experiments were repeated three times,
and data were expressed as the mean SD. StatisPDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology

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3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Compatibility Studies
3.1.1. FTIRSpectroscopy: Interaction between drug
and formulation was studied using IR analysis. Major
functional groups present in losartan potassium show
characteristic peaks in IR spectrum. The spectra were
obtained in between the wave number range of 4000
400 cm. Figure 2 shows peaks observed at different
wave numbers and the functional group associated
with these peaks for drug and drug with different
polymers. The major peaks are identical to functional
group of losartan potassium. Hence, it was confirmed
that there was no incompatibility between drug and
various polymers (Figure 2).

Figure 3
DSC Thermograms of (A) losartan potassium (LP),
(B) losartan potassiumEudragit RL100,(C) losartan potassiumEudragit RS100, and (D) losartan
potassiumethylcellulose (EC).

tical data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. A

Dunetts multiple comparison test and paired t-test
were used to compare different formulations, and a
P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be
significant.

3.1.2. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC):

Figure 3 (A, B, C, D) depicts the thermograms of heat
verses temperature for pure losartan potassium, losartan potassiumandEudragit RL100, losartan potassiumand Eudragit RS100, and losartan potassiumand EC,
respectively. The prominent and sharp endothermic
peak at 258.2 C (H is 16.2 J/g) in the thermogram
of pure losartan potassium representing the melting
point of losartan. In all the DSC spectrums the characteristic drug melting point peak was observed. From
these results there was no drug-excipient interaction.
This indicates the choice of excipients used in the
formulation of the patch was suitable.
3.2. Physical Appearance, Thickness, Folding
Endurance, and Tensile Strength
All the patches prepared with different polymer
concentration were found to be flexible, smooth,
opaque, non-sticky, and homogeneous in nature

TABLE IV
Physicochemical Properties of the Prepared Transdermal Patches
Formulation
Code

Flexibility

Smoothness

Transparency

F1
Flexible
Smooth
Opaque
F2
Flexible
Smooth
Opaque
F3
Flexible
Smooth
Opaque
F4
Flexible
Smooth
Opaque
F5
Flexible
Smooth
Opaque
F6
Flexible
Smooth
Opaque
* Average of three determinations. AM (average mean).
Vol. 66, No. 2, MarchApril 2012

Stickiness

Folding
Endurance*

Weight* (mg)
AM SD

Non-sticky
Non-sticky
Non-sticky
Non-sticky
Non-sticky
Non-sticky

160200
160200
200245
200240
170210
170210

28.001 0.067
30.967 0.099
27.767 0.012
26.913 0.023
31.571 0.064
33.456 0.019

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TABLE V
Physiochemical Properties and Drug Content of the Prepared Transdermal Patches
Percentage
Formulation Hardness* (kg) Moisture
Code
AM SD
Absorption

Thickness*
(mm) AM
SD

F1
0.294 0.019
3.01
0.279 0.019
F2
0.328 0.023
3.18
0.323 0.017
F3
0.388 0.026
3.45
0.325 0.023
F4
0.403 0.022
3.66
0.248 0.014
F5
0.352 0.027
4.48
0.293 0.021
F6
0.438 0.031
4.29
0.364 0.026
* Average of three determinations. AM (average mean).

(Table IV). Flexibility, smoothness, opaque, and

non-stickiness may be due to the presence of plasticizer. Thickness shows amarginal difference
among each group. This indicates that more the
amount of polymer, the higher the thickness values
(Table V). Good folding endurance was shown by
all six patches (Table IV), indicating that the
patches have good flexibility. The tensile strength
was found to be in the range of 0.397 to 0.534. The
formulation F3 showed the best tensile strength
(Table V).

Tensile
strength*
(kg/mm) AM
SD

Amount in 1
cm2* (mg)

Percentage
Drug Content
in cm2

0.397 0.053
0.435 0.047
0.534 0.068
0.513 0.061
0.468 0.059
0.492 0.071

13.00 0.0324
11.95 0.0196
13.00 0.0421
12.90 0.0312
13.35 0.0358
12.92 0.0316

93.60 0.7345
92.88 0.4015
93.08 0.3439
95.32 0.7852
95.40 0.5714
93.24 0.5127

3.5. In Vitro Drug Release Studies

In vitro drug release study showed that from hydrophobic polymers (F3 and F4) the drug release was
found to be faster compared to the combination of
hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers (F1 and F2) or
only hydrophilic polymers (F5 and F6) used in the
study (Figure 4). Further, in the drug release study
(F2, F3, and F5), when conducted for 40 h, it was
observed that approximately 75 80% of drug was
released. Hence, transdermal patches can be used for
an extended period of time.

3.3. Moisture Content and Moisture Uptake

Moisture absorption studies revealed that as the concentration of PVP, Eudragit RS-100, polyvinyl alcohol
(PVA) (F2, F3, F6) increased the amount of water
absorption also increased. Among the patches, the F5
patch with a PVA: polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) ratio
of 2:1absorbed higher moisture content. The hydrophilic nature of the PVA and PVP may be the reason
behind the water absorption. F1 patch (EC: PVP)
shows the least percentage of moisture absorption as
compared to other patches because of the hydrophobic
nature of EC.

3.6. Comparison of In Vitro Percentage Drug Release

of Formulations
From the above data, it can be concluded that the in
vitro release model mainly favors the hydrophobicity,

3.4. Drug Content Uniformity

The drug content (F1, 93.60 0.7345; F2, 92.88
0.4015; F3, 93.08 0.3439; F6, 93.24 0.5127) in
each part of the film was found to be almost uniform.
Hence, there was no significant difference in the drug
content among the patches (Table V), thus indicating
content uniformity.
132

Figure 4
Comparison of in vitro percentage drug release of
all formulations.
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TABLE VI
Kinetic Release (R2) Values of All the Patches
Code

F1

F2

F3

F4

F5

F6

Zero order
First order
Higuchi model

0.9443
0.9724
0.9873

0.9071
0.9456
0.9928

0.9427
0.9816
0.9878

0.9244
0.9630
0.9901

0.9346
0.9615
0.9852

0.9472
0.9674
0.9755

as formulation F3 and F4 (hydrophobic polymers)

shows better result than others.

the patches. After collection of blood pressure readings, it was found that all the formulations, F1 to F6,
reduced blood pressure significantly. But the reduction
in blood pressure caused by F3 was remarkable. The
data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Dunnetts multiple comparision post-test for comparison
of antihypertensive response of all other formulations
with F3. One way ANOVA revealed significant reduction in blood pressure of rats treated in all groups (P
0.05). The data was further analyzed by Dunnetts
multiple comparison test to determine the hypotensive
effect of F3 with all other groups. It was found that
hypotensive effect of F3 was significantly greater than
all groups [F1, F(5, 48) 2.938, (P 0.05); F2, F(5,
48) 3.186, (P 0.05); F5, F(5, 48) 3.633, (P
0.05); F6, F(5, 48) 3.582, (P 0.05)] except F4.
Hence formulation F3 was found to be optimum because the blood pressure levels were close to normal
and stable over the period of 9 to 24 h (Figure 5).

3.7. Release Kinetics

According to first-orderkinetics, the release of drug is
based on the concentration of the drug in the formulation. Further, as per Higuchi release kinetics, the
drug release follows a diffusion mechanism. The plots
showed high linearity when the percentage of drug
released was plotted against the square root of time.
This indicated that the release pattern followed Higuchis diffusion mechanism, which indicates that as the
time increases, the diffusion path length also increases
(Table VI).
3.8. Stability Studies
Stability studies showed that there is no significant
change in physical characteristics and drug content
(Table VII). Based on these results it was concluded
that the formulated transdermal patches were found to
be physically and chemically stable during the study
period (60 days).

4. Conclusion
The aim of the study was to study the effect of various
hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers by in vitro
release rate and in vivo antihypertensive activity from
transdermal patches of losartan potassium. Propylene
glycol was used as plasticizer at a concentration of 1%
v/v for all patches, which exhibited good flexibility,
tensile strength, hardness, and handling property. The

3.9. In Vivo Study (Anti-Hypertensive Study)

The method of chronic renal hypertension in the ratwas used to evaluate the antihypertensive activities of

TABLE VII
Stability Study of Transdermal Patches at Various Temperature and Humidity

Formulation
Code
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6

Initial
Percentage
Drug
Content

15
Days

30
Days

60
Days

15
Days

30
Days

60
Days

93.60
92.88
93.08
95.32
95.40
93.24

93.59
92.70
92.99
94.97
95.37
93.22

93.57
92.65
92.95
94.92
95.35
93.18

93.54
92.58
92.91
94.89
95.29
93.11

93.58
92.68
92.98
94.95
95.32
93.20

93.55
92.61
92.94
94.90
95.28
93.15

93.53
92.55
92.88
94.86
95.22
93.09

Vol. 66, No. 2, MarchApril 2012

2530 C (60% RH)

4550 C (75% RH)

133

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3. Kydonieus, A. F.; Berner, B. Transdermal Delivery of Drugs; R.C. Press: Boca Raton, FL, 1987;
pp 69 77.
4. Blank, I. H. Cutaneous barrier. J. Invest. Dermatol. 1965, 45, 240 256.
5. Barry, B. W. Dermatological Formulations: Percutaneous Absorption; Marcel Decker: New York
and Basel, 1983; pp 261262.
Figure 5
In vivo antihypertensive study of losartan potassium transdermal patches.

physicochemical parameters, in vitro release, and in

vivo studies show that formulation F3 and somewhat
F4 were considered as the best formulations. Based on
the encouraging results, the losartan potassium transdermal patch can be used as a controlled TDDS and
frequency of administration can be minimized. The
transdermal dosage form of losartan potassium may
provide clinicians an opportunity to offer more therapeutic options to their patients to optimize their care.
Acknowledgments
We are thankful to Alkem Pharmaceuticals (Mumbai,
India) for providing us gift samples of losartan potassium. The authors wish to acknowledge with thanks
the help and cooperation received from the management of KVPS Institute of Pharmaceutical Education
(Boradi, India).
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no financial or non-financial conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for
the content and writing of the paper.
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