Iontophoresis - an approach for controlled drug delivery: a review

The recent approval of lidocaine hydrochloride and epinephrine combined iontophoretic patch (Lidosite Vysteris Inc.) for localized pain treatment by FDA has invigorated the gaining interest in iontophoretic drug delivery systems for the transdermal delivery of drugs. This technique of facilitated movement of ions across a membrane under the influence of an externally applied electric potential difference, is one of the most promising physical skin penetration enhancing method. The rationale behind using this technique is the capability of this method to increase the systemic delivery of high molecular weight compounds with controlled input kinetics and minimum inter-subject variability, which is otherwise achieved only when parentral route of administration is used. Recently, good permeation of larger peptides like insulin has been achieved through this technique in combination with chemical enhancers. This review briefly describes the factors which affect iontophoretic drug delivery and summarizes the studies conducted recently using this technique in order to achieve higher systemic absorption of the drugs having low passive diffusion otherwise. The effect of permeation enhancers (chemical enhancers) on iontophoretic flux of drugs has also been described. Present review also provides an insight into reverse iontophoresis. Various parameters which affect the transdermal absorption of drugs through iontophoresis like drug concentration, polarity of drugs, pH of donor solution, presence of co-ions, ionic strength, electrode polarity etc. have also been reviewed in detail.     

Transdermal iontophoretic delivery of selegiline hydrochloride,in vitro

Transdermal iontophoretic delivery of selegiline hydrochloride (SH) across dermatomed human skin was studied. Electrochemical stability and various factors affecting the skin permeation were investigated. SH was stable under the influence of an electrical field. The permeation of SH was very low by passive delivery (2.29?±?0.05 μg/cm²/h) as compared to iontophoresis at 0.5 mA/cm² (65.10?±?5.04 μg/cm²/h). An increase in drug concentration from 1 to 20?mg/mL increased the iontophoretic flux by 13-fold. Optimal pH and salt (NaCl) concentration for iontophoretic delivery of SH were found to be pH 5 and 100?mM, respectively. Overall, with 20?mg/mL SH and a current density of 0.4 mA/cm², a maximum flux of 305.5?μg/cm²/h was obtained. Based on reported pharmacokinetic parameters, input target delivery rate to achieve effective plasma concentration of SH (2.2?ng/mL) was calculated. With a surface area of 40?cm², iontophoretic delivery can provide six to seven times higher levels of SH than the target delivery rate, which enables lowering of the dose and/or patch surface area. Further in vivo studies will be required to prove the efficacy of ionophoresis for enhanced delivery of SH.     

Iontophoretic Delivery of Apomorphine In Vitro: Physicochemic Considerations

Purpose. To examine the mechanisms of transdermal iontophoretic delivery of apomorphine. Methods. Anodal iontophoresis of R-apomorphine across human stratum corneum was determined in vitro. The effects on the flux of the following parameters were studied: stability of drug, pH of donor solution, concentration of NaCl, and type of Na⁺ co-ions. Results. Ascorbic acid was effective to prevent apomorphine degradation. The iontophoretic transport of apomorphine was strongly influenced by the pH of the donor formulation. Increasing the pH from 3 to 6 resulted in an increase in the iontophoretic apomorphine flux from 27.9 ± 4.4 nmol/cm²*h to 78.2 ± 6.9 nmol/cm²*h. Upon decreasing NaCl concentration from 8 to 2 g/L, the iontophoretic flux was not significantly changed. Replacing NaCl in the donor formulation by tetraethylammonium chloride or tetrabutylammonium chloride resulted in 1.3 fold greater steady-state flux. Conclusions. For optimized apomorphine iontophoretic delivery, a constant pH of the donor formulation is of great importance. The results suggest that although flux enhancement during iontophoresis is largely due to the electrical potential gradient, secondary effects, such as convective flow and electroosmosis may also contribute.     

Iontophoretic drug delivery across human nail

Topical trans-nail delivery of antifungal drugs is limited by several physicochemical and physiological factors. Use of chemical permeation enhancers has been a common approach for enhancing trans-nail delivery of drugs. The potential of physical permeation enhancement techniques has been found to be higher than the potential of chemical permeation enhancers in transdermal delivery of hydrophilic drugs and macromolecular therapeutic agents. However, application of physical permeation enhancement techniques has not been explored for trans-nail drug delivery. In the current work, iontophoresis was applied across human nail in vitro to assess its efficiency in enhancing drug delivery. Salicylic acid (SA) was used as test diffusant. The influence of pH, ionic strength, and current density was studied. Obviously, increase in current density increased the trans-nail transport flux. It appears that about 50-100 mM ionic strength is required for optimal conduction of electric current across nail. The flux enhancement factor (iontophoretic flux/passive flux) also increased with increase in pH due to increased ionization of SA. This study demonstrates the efficacy of iontophoresis in enhancing the trans-nail delivery of drugs.     

A Review of: “Excipient Development for Pharmaceutical,Biotechnology, and Drug Delivery Systems”

The feasibility of delivering hydromorphone by transdermal iontophoresis to obtain therapeutically effective analgesic concentrations for the management of cancer-related pain was evaluated. Anodal iontophoresis was performed, and the effect of current strength, current duration, solution pH, presence of buffer ions, and drug concentration on the transdermal permeation of hydromorphone was investigated in vitro. Freshly excised full‐thickness hairless rat skin and side-by-side permeation cells connected to the Phoresor II^TM with Ag/AgCl electrodes was used. The flux of hydromorphone was observed to significantly increase (P < 0.05) from 72.04–280.30 μg/cm²/h with increase in current strength from 0.10–0.50 mA. A linear relationship was obtained between hydromorphone flux and current strength. Furthermore, the flux of hydromorphone was influenced by solution pH and presence of buffer ions. Also, the in vitro permeation flux of hydromorphone was observed to significantly increase (P < 0.05) with a 10-fold increase in hydromorphone hydrochloride concentration from 0.01–0.10 M. However, with further increase to 0.50 M, there was no significant difference in flux. These results show that by manipulating electronic and formulation variables, the transdermal iontophoretic delivery of hydromorphone can be controlled, and therapeutically effective concentrations of hydromorphone for the management of cancer-related pain can be obtained.     

Effect of lactic acid and iontophoresis on drug permeation across rabbit ear skin

The aim of this paper was to explore the efficacy of lactic acid as permeation enhancer for drug molecules across the skin. Three model permeants were chosen: acetaminophen (non-ionized), buspirone hydrochloride (cationic drug) and ibuprofen lysine (anionic drug). We also explored the association of lactic acid and iontophoresis as a means of enhancing drug delivery. Permeation experiments were performed in vitro, using rabbit ear skin as barrier. The results obtained indicate that lactic acid has some effects on model drug permeation across the skin. The effect was more evident with the anionic drug ibuprofen. Cathodal intophoresis increased ibuprofen transport, but when lactic acid was associated with cathodal iontophoresis, a concentration-dependent reduction of ibuprofen iontophoretic flux was observed, probably for the competition by the co-ion. The application of electric current (anodal iontophoresis) to a solution of acetaminophen produced an increase in its transport, due to the presence of an electroosmotic contribution; however, the effect of the association of anodal iontophoresis and lactic acid produced no further enhancement.     

Effect of nerodilol, carvone and anethole on the in vitro transdermal delivery of selegiline hydrochloride

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of terpene enhancers (nerodilol, carvone or anethole) on the in vitro transdermal delivery of selegiline hydrochloride with a broad objective of developing a membrane-moderated transdermal therapeutic system (TTS). The in vitro permeation studies were carried across the rat epidermis from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) gel drug reservoir containing selected concentrations of nerodilol, carvone or anethole and selegiline hydrochloride. The amount of selegiline hydrochloride permeated during the 24 h of the study (Q24) from HPMC gel drug reservoir without terpene enhancer was 2169 +/- 50 microg/cm2 and the corresponding flux of the drug was 92 +/- 1 microg/cm2 x h. The amount of drug permeated and its flux increased with an increase in terpne concentration in HPMC gel drug reservoir. Nerodilol provided an approximately 3.2-fold increase in the flux of selegiline hydrochloride followed by carvone with a 2.8-fold increase, and anethole with a 2.6-fold increase. It is concluded that the terpene nerodilol, carvone and anethole produced a marked penetration enhancing effect on the in vitro transdermal delivery of selegiline hydrochloride that could possibly be used in the formulation of membrane-moderated TTS.     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a hydrogel-based prototype transdermal patch system of alfuzosin hydrochloride

The first-line therapy for moderate to severe benign prostatic hyperplasia is the oral therapy by alfuzosin hydrochloride. Unfortunately, the oral therapy of alfuzosin is associated with several route-specific systemic side-effects. The current study was aimed to develop a prototype transdermal patch system for alfuzosin using a hydrogel polymer and optimize the drug delivery through the skin for systemic therapy. The prospective of different chemical enhancers (polyethylene glycol (PEG 400), isopropyl myristate, propylene glycol, menthol and L-methionine; 5% w/v) and iontophoresis (0.3?mA/cm²) in the alfuzosin delivery across the full thickness rat skin was assessed in vitro. In vivo iontophoretic studies were carried out using selected patch system (PEG 400) for a period of 6?h in Sprague-Dawley rats. Passive permeation studies indicated that the incorporation of chemical agents have moderate effect (~?4- to 7-fold) on the alfuzosin skin permeability and reduced the lag time. Combined approach of iontophoresis with chemical enhancers significantly augmented the drug transport (~ 43- to 72-fold). In vivo pharmacokinetic parameters revealed that the iontophoresis (transdermal patch with PEG 400) significantly enhanced the C_max (~ 3-fold) and AUC_0-α (~ 4-fold), when compared to control. The current study concludes that the application of iontophoresis (0.3?mA/cm²) using the newly developed agaorse-based prototype patch with PEG 400 could be utilized for the successful delivery of alfuzosin by transdermal route.     

Modulation of electroosmosis and flux through skin: effect of propylene glycol

The effect of propylene glycol (PG) on transdermal flux under current was investigated using conventional in vitro iontophoresis methodology. The results were evaluated to explain how PG affects the electroosmotic volume flow (EVF) and electromigrational flux through skin. As a marker molecule for the direction and magnitude of EVF, a non-charged neutral molecule, acetaminophen (AAP), was used. At pH 7.4, the direction of EVF was from anode to cathode. During anodal and cathodal current application, PG decreased AAP flux and this decrease was proportional to the concentration of PG, indicating that the presence of PG in the medium decreased the EVF. This decrease is likely due to the decrease in dielectric constant of the medium and the increases in medium viscosity by the addition of PG. The increase in AAP solubility and the viscosity of the medium by PG may also contribute to the decrease in diffusional flux. The magnitude of EVF was estimated to be about 4.2 μl/cm² h. The effect of PG on the flux of a positively charged drug, donepezil hydrochloride (DH), was further investigated using pH 4.6 phosphate buffer solution. The permselectivity of skin in this solution was also investigated and revealed that the isoelectric point of hairless mouse skin is higher than pH 4.6. Anodal delivery showed much higher flux than cathodal and passive flux, indicating that electromigration is playing the major role for DH flux. As the concentration of PG increased, anodal flux of DH decreased. The main reason for this decrease in electromigration is likely due to the increase in medium viscosity. These results and discussions clearly suggest that the incorporation of frequently used organic cosolvents and penetration enhancers into the iontophoretic formulation should be carefully chosen with a thorough investigation for their effect on flux. Overall, these results provided further mechanistic insights into the role of electroosmosis and electromigration in flux across skin, and how they can be modulated by organic cosolvent, PG.     

Passive and Iontophoretic Transdermal Penetration of Chlorpromazine

The in vitro iontophoretic transdermal delivery of chlorpromazine (CPZ) across pig skin was investigated. Anodal iontophoresis considerably increased CPZ skin penetration and accumulation compared with the passive controls.

The effect of CPZ concentration in the donor solution was studied (1.4–8.2 mM). A higher penetration was observed with an increase of the concentration. In addition, the effect of NaCl concentration was also studied (154–200 mM). As expected, CPZ iontophoretic transport decreased with NaCl content. Finally, the influence of the current density (0.20–0.50 mA/cm²) was investigated. The iontophoretic transport of CPZ tends to increase with current density, although this effect was not statistically significant between 0.35 and 0.5 mA/cm². On the whole, this work shows that iontophoresis may be used to improve the transdermal delivery of CPZ for the treatment of chronic psychosis.     

Controlled delivery of ropinirole hydrochloride through skin using modulated iontophoresis and microneedles

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of modulated current application using iontophoresis- and microneedle-mediated delivery on transdermal permeation of ropinirole hydrochloride. AdminPatch® microneedles and microchannels formed by them were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, dye staining and confocal microscopy. In vitro permeation studies were carried out using Franz diffusion cells, and skin extraction was used to quantify drug in underlying skin. Effect of microneedle pore density and ions in donor formulation was studied. Active enhancement techniques, continuous iontophoresis (74.13?±?2.20?µg/cm²) and microneedles (66.97?±?10.39?µg/cm²), significantly increased the permeation of drug with respect to passive delivery (8.25?±?2.41?µg/cm²). Modulated iontophoresis could control the amount of drug delivered at a given time point with the highest flux being 5.12?±?1.70?µg/cm²/h (5–7?h) and 5.99?±?0.81?µg/cm²/h (20–22?h). Combination of modulated iontophoresis and microneedles (46.50?±?6.46?µg/cm²) showed significantly higher delivery of ropinirole hydrochloride compared to modulated iontophoresis alone (84.91?±?9.21?µg/cm²). Modulated iontophoresis can help in maintaining precise control over ropinirole hydrochloride delivery for dose titration in Parkinson’s disease therapy and deliver therapeutic amounts over a suitable patch area and time.     

离子导入持续时间对盐酸丁卡因凝胶影响的研究

目的研究离子导入持续时间对盐酸丁卡因凝胶累积渗透量的影响.方法以盐酸丁卡因为模型药物,采用离子导入作为促透方法,分别测定不同持续时间下的盐酸丁卡因凝胶在离子导入后接受室溶液的吸收度,计算它们的累积渗透量.结果离子导入持续时间为15,30,45,60,90,120min时,稳态累积渗透量分别为5.74,11.25,15.37,20.97,28.82和36.96μg/cm2.结论在一定的电流强度和漏槽条件下,盐酸丁卡因离子导入凝胶累积渗透量与持续时间有较好的线性关系.     

Effect of Electroporation on Transdermal lontophoretic Delivery of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) in Vitro

Electroporation, the creation of transient, enhanced membrane permeability using short duration (microseconds to millisecond) electrical pulses, can be used to increase transdermal drug delivery. The effect of an (electroporative) electric pulse (1000 V, = 5 msec) on the iontophoretic transport of LHRH through human skin was studied in vitro. Fluxes achieved with and without a pulse under different current densities (0- 4 mA/cm²) were compared. The results indicated that the application of a single pulse prior to iontophoresis consistently yielded higher fluxes (5—10 times the corresponding iontophoretic flux). For example, at 0.5 mA/cm² fluxes were 0.27 ± 0.08 and 1.62 ± 0.05 µg/hr/cm² without and with the pulse, respectively. At each current density studied, the LHRH flux decreased after iontophoresis, approaching pre-treatment values. The results show that electroporation can significantly and reversibly increase the flux of LHRH through human skin. These results also indicate the therapeutic utility of using electroporation for enhanced transdermal transport.     

Transdermal Iontophoretic Delivery of Propofol: A General Anaesthetic in the Form of its Phosphate Salt

The main objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of delivery of propofol phosphate (PP), a prodrug of propofol, via transdermal route using iontophoresis in combination with chemical permeation enhancers (CPEs). PP, a prodrug, was synthesized and its structure was characterized. In vitro passive and iontophoretic drug transport studies were carried out using Franz diffusion cell across freshly excised hairless rat skin at different concentrations of PP in combination with CPE. Among all the CPEs screened, 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) increased the passive transdermal flux to 13.43 ± 0.73 μg/(cm² h) from 8.52 ± 0.82 μg/(cm² h) (control). Cathodal iontophoresis in combination with 0.1% SDS synergistically enhanced the flux [249.24 ± 6.12μg/(cm² h)] of PP. The Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in rat model to assess the feasibility of transdermal delivery of PP. The amount of propofol present in plasma samples in control group (passive) was below the detectable levels at all the time points during the study. The plasma concentration—time profile of iontophoresis group of rats was fit to a noncompartmental model and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. These studies suggest the plausibility of achieving therapeutically relevant levels of propofol when delivered via transdermal route by combining iontophoresis with CPE.     

Studies on Optimizing In Vitro Transdermal Permeation of Ondansetron Hydrochloride Using Nerodilol,Carvone, and Limonene as Penetration Enhancers

The present investigation was carried out to formulate a terpene-based hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) gel drug reservoir system for its optimal transdermal permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride. The HPC gel formulations containing ondansetron hydrochloride (3% w/w) and selected concentrations of either nerodilol (0% w/w, 1% w/w, 2% w/w, 3% w/w, and 4% w/w), carvone (0% w/w, 2% w/w, 4% w/w, 8% w/w, and 10% w/w), or limonene (0% w/w, 2% w/w, 3% w/w, and 4% w/w) were prepared and subjected to in vitro permeation of the drug across rat epidermis. All the 3 terpene enhancers increased the transdermal permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride. The optimal transdermal permeation was observed with 3% w/w of nerodilol (175.3 ± 3.1 μg/cm^2.h), 8% w/w of carvone (87.4 ± 1.6 μg/cm^2.h), or 3% w/w of limonene (181.9 ± 0.9 μg/cm^2.h). The enhancement ratio (ER) in drug permeability with 3% w/w nerodilol, 8% w/w carvone, and 3% w/w limonene were 21.6, 10.8, and 22.5, respectively, when compared with that obtained without a terpene enhancer (control). However, there was 1.04-, 2.09-, and 2.17-fold increase in the optimal drug flux obtained with carvone, nerodilol, and limonene, respectively, when compared with the desired drug flux (84 μg/cm^2.h). It was concluded that the HPC gel drug reservoir systems containing either 3% w/w nerodilol or 3% w/w limonene act as optimal formulations for use in the design of membrane-controlled transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) of ondansetron hydrochloride.     

渗透促进剂对胰岛素体外经皮离子导入渗透性的影响

本文考察了某些渗透促进剂如月桂氮Zhuo酮（AZ）、油酸（OA）、泊洛沙姆（POL）和丙二醇（PG）等对胰岛素体外经皮离子导入渗透性的影响。结果表明AZ对离子导入具有协同作用，PG能够增强这种作用，三者并用对胰岛素的经皮渗透具有特别显著的促渗效果。5％AZ／PG与离子导入并用后，较单独离子导入处理组的促渗因子为2.75。OA不能增强离子导入的作用，离子导入与某些渗透促进剂并用为胰岛素等大分子多肽类药物的透皮给药提供了新的思路和可能。     

Transdermal iontophoresis of hydromorphone across hairless rat skin in vitro

The feasibility of delivering hydromorphone by transdermal iontophoresis to obtain therapeutically effective analgesic concentrations for the management of cancer-related pain was evaluated. Anodal iontophoresis was performed, and the effect of current strength, current duration, solution pH, presence of buffer ions, and drug concentration on the transdermal permeation of hydromorphone was investigated in vitro. Freshly excised full-thickness hairless rat skin and side-by-side permeation cells connected to the Phoresor II with Ag/AgCl electrodes was used. The flux of hydromorphone was observed to significantly increase (P < 0.05) from 72.04-280.30 microg/cm(2)/h with increase in current strength from 0.10-0.50 mA. A linear relationship was obtained between hydromorphone flux and current strength. Furthermore, the flux of hydromorphone was influenced by solution pH and presence of buffer ions. Also, the in vitro permeation flux of hydromorphone was observed to significantly increase (P < 0.05) with a 10-fold increase in hydromorphone hydrochloride concentration from 0.01-0.10 M. However, with further increase to 0.50 M, there was no significant difference in flux. These results show that by manipulating electronic and formulation variables, the transdermal iontophoretic delivery of hydromorphone can be controlled, and therapeutically effective concentrations of hydromorphone for the management of cancer-related pain can be obtained.     

The Influence of Iontophoresis on Acyclovir Transport and Accumulation in Rabbit Ear Skin

Purpose The aim of this work was to explore the effect of iontophoresis on acyclovir (ACV) accumulation and permeation. In particular, the objectives were to check the efficacy of the transport mechanisms, electromigration and electroosmosis, on drug accumulation.Methods Permeation experiments were performed in vitro, using rabbit ear skin as barrier, from donor solutions at pH 3.0, 5.8, and 7.4. At the end of the experiments, drug accumulation in epidermis and dermis was measured. Anodal and cathodal iontophoresis were applied at pH 3.0, whereas only anodal iontophoresis was used at pH 5.8 (current densities 0.06–0.50 mA/cm²) and 7.4.Results Cathodal iontophoresis was more efficient than anodal iontophoresis on ACV permeation across the skin at pH 3.0. At pH 5.8, ACV flux and accumulation increased with current density during anodal iontophoresis. At pH 7.4, anodal iontophoresis produced a remarkable increase of flux and a modest increase of accumulation. Overall, anodal flux increased as the pH of the donor solution was increased as a result of the increase of the skin net negative charge.Conclusions From the results obtained in the present work, it can be concluded that iontophoresis application increases ACV flux and, to a limited extent, accumulation in the skin.     

盐酸丁卡因离子导入凝胶的研究

目的研究电流强度对盐酸丁卡因离子导入凝胶的渗透速率的影响。方法以盐酸丁卡因为模型药物,采用离子导入作为促透方法,分别测定不同电流强度下的盐酸丁卡因离子导入凝胶在离子导入后接受室溶液的吸收度,计算它们的稳态透皮速率。结果电流强度为0.05,0.1,0.15,0.2和0.25mA时,稳态透皮速率分别为10.18,22.94,34.62,41.60和51.35μg/cm2×h。结论在一定的电流强度下,漏槽条件下,盐酸丁卡因离子导入凝胶渗透速率与电流强度有较好的线性关系。     

In vivo iontophoretic administration of ropinirole hydrochloride

This work explores the possibility of achieving therapeutic levels of the anti-Parkinsonian drug, ropinirole hydrochloride (RHCl), by transdermal iontophoretic delivery. An in vivo study was performed in hairless rats during which RH(+) was delivered at one current intensity (0.58 mA identical with 0.12 mA/cm(2)) and at three different drug concentrations (25, 125, and 250 mM). In vivo RH(+) flux and transport number were deduced from the steady-state plasma concentration values. Plasma concentration profiles and RH(+) transport numbers were independent of the drug donor concentration. The average iontophoretic input rate was about 3 micromol/h. Postiontophoresis transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was monitored and biopsies were histologically examined to identify any effects of iontophoresis on the skin. TEWL was elevated only at the anodal sites. TEWL recovery was faster for the "no-drug" control anodal sites, which suggests a combined effect of the drug and current on the skin. In conclusion, (1). the in vivo iontophoretic transport of RH(+) is independent of the drug donor concentration, and (2). iontophoresis can deliver therapeutic amounts of RH(+).