Journal of Novel Physiotherapies
Open Access

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to test low frequency sonophoresis as an active enhancement technology for transdermal and topical delivery of ketoprofen and to optimize ultrasound parameters for delivery. Methods: Sonophoresis was carried out with a sonicator operating at 20 KHz frequency and intensity of 6.9 W/sq.cm (Sonics VCX 500, Sonics and Materials, Newtown, CT). Donor formulation was saturated solution of ketoprofen in 50 percent propylene glycol containing 3.5 mg/ml drug. Vertical Franz diffusion cells were used to study transdermal and topical delivery of ketoprofen in vitro. Permeation studies were carried out on excised hairless rat skin over a period of 24 hours. Ultrasound application time, duty cycle and coupling medium were optimized. Aluminum foil pitting was carried out to confirm acoustic cavitation as the mechanism of enhanced sonophoretic delivery. Transepidermal water loss measurements (TEWL) were performed to measure the extent of barrier disruption following sonophoresis. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize dye penetration through sonophoresis treated skin. Results: Application of ultrasound (2 minutes, 1% SLS coupling medium) significantly enhanced permeation of ketoprofen from 74.87�±5.27 �¼g/sq.cm for passive delivery to 491.37�±48.78 �¼g/sq.cm for sonophoresis. The lag time for delivery reduced from 6 hours for passive permeation to 2 hours for sonophoresis. Drug levels in underlying skin layers increased from 34.69�±7.25 �¼g following passive permeation to 175.04�±20.56 �¼g following sonophoresis. TEWL increased from 31.6�±0.02 (passive) to 69.5�±12.60 (optimized sonophoresis conditions) indicating disruption of barrier properties. Confocal microscopy images depicted enhanced dye penetration through sonophoresis treated skin hence confirming barrier disruption. Conclusions: Low frequency sonophoresis with optimized ultrasound parameters can be effectively used to actively enhance transdermal and topical delivery of ketoprofen.

Biography

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