Metformin delivery via iontophoresis based on Κ-carrageenan cryogels

Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is the system for transmitting a drug through the skin into the blood circulation. In this work, kappa-Carrageenan (kappa C) was used as the drug matrix material. The porous kappa C matrices were fabricated by dissolving the kappa C in deionized water to obtain hydrogels and then using the freeze-dryer to obtain cryogels. The porous (kappa C) matrices showed interconnected pore sizes varying between 6.05 to 25.8 nm. In the drug release experiments, the drug diffusion coefficient increased and the drug release duration was reduced with decreasing kappa C concentration due to the larger kappa C pore sizes. The diffusion coefficient increased with a shorter release time under the applied electric strength of +1.0 V due to the electro-repulsive force between the Metformin and the anode. For the drug release-permeation of the kappa C 0.8 % v/v cryogel through the pig skin under applied positive electrical potentials, the amounts of drug release-permeation and diffusion coefficients were enhanced with shorter durations relative to without electrical potential. The kappa C 0.8 % v/v matrix at the applied electric strength of +6.0 V has been shown here to be potential to be used as the Metformin transdermal controlled delivery patch for abdominal obesity and diabetes.

Automated summary

Transdermal drug delivery system using kappa-Carrageenan as the matrix material showed potential for controlled release of Metformin for abdominal obesity and diabetes. The porous matrices demonstrated varying pore sizes and drug release properties were influenced by the concentration of kappa-Carrageenan and applied electric strength.