A Novel Transdermal drug-delivery Patch for Treating Local Muscular Pain

Abstract

Superficial nociceptive pains such as myalgia (muscular pain) can have a wide range of causes, from bee stings and burns to trauma, muscle overuse or chronic tensions, and is often associated with inflammation and tissue swelling [1]. Generally, a specific group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for the treatment of local muscular pain and inflammation. The NSAIDs inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), thereby controlling the synthesis of thromboxanes and prostaglandins [2]. The cyclooxygenase is an enzyme released during pain and inflammation, whereas thromboxanes and prostaglandins are mediators of vasoconstriction and inflammation, respectively [3]. Some commonly used NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac.Diclofenac is used for the treatment of mild to moderate muscular pain, as well as for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis, menstrual cramps, toothache and migraines/headaches [4]. However, if it is taken orally for a long period of time in high doses, then it may potentially lead to fatal stomach and intestinal bleeding, and perhaps increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke [5]. Today, patients are becoming more and more conscious of such side effects and hence novel and safer ways of pain management are desirable.Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) can pose as a safer and preferred alternative to oral drug delivery as well as parenteral administration for NSAIDs due to various reasons [6]. One advantage is that the transdermal route avoids the metabolism of the drug inside the liver and its rapid absorption inside the GI tract, thus avoiding the risk of internal bleeding and irritation. Additionally, TDD typically avoids painful administration or other unwanted systemic side effects that may occur with oral administration. TDD systems are designed to deliver a predetermined amount of drug through the stratum corneum and subsequently the systemic circulation [7]. The choice of drug for TDD depends on the size of the drug, as it should efficiently pass through the skin pores. Conventional means of TDD include ointments, creams and gels; however, the major disadvantage of these is the need for frequent application, the inability to determine exact dosage administered and instability. Moreover, strong ointments or their improper usage can potentially lead to skin allergies, dryness, lesions and thinning of the skin [8].Given this, TDD systems, such as drug-loaded patches, backing films, microneedles, thermal, mechanical and electrical ablation, are often preferred [9,10]. Out of these, TDD patches are simple and the most patient-compliant. A few transdermal patches for treating muscular pain are available on the market -most based on either narcotic (Fentanyl) or methyl salicylate (Salonpas), which can cause breathing problems, or toxicity issues [11,12]. Novel diclofenac-loaded TDD patchesIdeally, TDD systems need to facilitate the permeation of drug through the stratum corneum, systematically deliver the drug and mainta...

Drug Delivery Applications of Coaxial Electrospun Nanofibres in Cancer Therapy

“…Ointments, creams, and gels are conventional methods of TDDSs; however, their clinical effects are restricted by instability, an uncertain dosage, and incompliance. Given this, new TDDSs are under development, and novel nanofibrous patches with minimal skin contact and sustainable release are treated as an ideal option [66].…”

“…Ointments, creams, and gels are conventional methods of TDDSs; however, their clinical effects are restricted by instability, an uncertain dosage, and incompliance. Given this, new TDDSs are under development, and novel nanofibrous patches with minimal skin contact and sustainable release are treated as an ideal option [ 66 ]. Mehnath et al introduced a stimuli-responsive polymeric nanofibrous patch for in situ drug delivery to overcome the limits related to injection routes and to abate toxicity to normal tissues for breast cancer therapy ( Figure 4 ).…”

Enhancement of Release and Solubility of Curcumin from Electrospun PEO–EC–PVP Tripolymer-Based Nanofibers: A Study on the Effect of Hydrogenated Castor Oil

“…Therefore, the development of a skin patch having a dual performance ability of inherent curcumin release (in the presence of moisture or sweat as the stimuli) along with the enhanced skin permeability will be a novel approach to improve the bioavailability of curcumin targeted for skin applications. Fabrication of skin patches involves various practices such as the use of adhesive- or reservoir-based diffusion system having single or multiple layers, matrix-based systems, microneedles/microarray patches, and electrospun nanofibrous mats, out of which electrospinning, being a versatile and economic technique that produces nanofibers, has received a greater deal of attention in recent years. , Electrospun nanofibers have many attractive properties such as large surface-to-volume ratio that provides efficient drug delivery, specialized architecture that triggers controlled release, and flexible nature that makes them ideal for topical application …”

“…Fabrication of skin patches involves various practices such as the use of adhesive-or reservoir-based diffusion system having single or multiple layers, 27 matrixbased systems, 28 microneedles/microarray patches, 29 and electrospun nanofibrous mats, out of which electrospinning, being a versatile and economic technique that produces nanofibers, has received a greater deal of attention in recent years. 30,31 Electrospun nanofibers have many attractive properties such as large surface-to-volume ratio that provides efficient drug delivery, specialized architecture that triggers controlled release, and flexible nature that makes them ideal for topical application. 32 Topical delivery of curcumin via polymer-based electrospun nanofibers has also been investigated for various diseases such as psoriasis, 33 atopic dermatitis, 34 acne, 35 skin cancer, 36 wound Figure 1.…”