Formulation and Development of Dendrimer-Based Transdermal Patches of Meloxicam for the Management of Arthritis

Purpose: To develop transdermal patches of meloxicam (MLX) using chitosan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as hydrophilic polymers, polyamido amine (PAMAM) dendrimer as a permeation enhancer, and dibutyl pthalate as a plasticizer
Methods: The patches were prepared by solvent casting evaporation technique using 3-factor, 3-level Box-Behnken design. The patches were evaluated for physical appearance, thickness, weight variation, folding endurance, drug content uniformity, tensile strength, moisture absorption and moisture loss, in vitro drug release, as well as by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). A specially designed glass diffusion cell was used for the in vitro drug release study. The effect of concentrations of dependent variables (PAMAM G3, chitosan and dibutyl pthalate) on drug release was investigated.
Results: The patches demonstrated satisfactory characteristics. PAMAM dendrimer significantly enhanced (p < 0.5) the permeation of MLX. A maximum of 85.7 % drug release was achieved in 24 h.
Conclusion: Dendrimer increased the release of MLX by increasing its solubility and permeation through the membrane. Thus, dendrimer patches are a potentially suitable transdermal drug delivery system for the management of some diseased conditions.

Keywords
Dendrimers; Transdermal patches; Skin permeation; Permeation enhancer; Chitosan; Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; Meloxicam; Plasticizer