FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF TRANSDERMAL PATCHES FOR WOUND HEALING

Khushi Kumari* Sr. Praveen Kumar

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate Mupirocin-loaded transdermal patches for wound healing applications using the solvent casting method. Transdermal drug delivery systems provide several advantages such as controlled drug release, improved patient compliance, reduced dosing frequency, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. In the present work, Mupirocin was selected as the model antimicrobial drug, while polymers such as Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Gelatin were used for patch preparation along with suitable plasticizers and permeation enhancers. Preformulation studies including determination of λmax, calibration curve, and FTIR compatibility studies were performed prior to formulation development. The λmax of Mupirocin was found at 226 nm, and the calibration curve showed good linearity within the selected concentration range. FTIR studies confirmed the absence of any significant interaction between the drug and excipients. A total of eight formulations (F1–F8) were prepared and evaluated for various physicochemical parameters such as thickness, weight variation, pH, folding endurance, moisture retention, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), drug content uniformity, skin irritation, and stability studies. The prepared patches showed uniform thickness, acceptable weight variation, good flexibility, and satisfactory moisture transmission properties. Drug content uniformity confirmed homogeneous distribution of Mupirocin within the polymeric matrix. Most formulations exhibited good skin compatibility with minimal irritation. Stability studies performed under room temperature and accelerated conditions demonstrated that the formulations remained stable with acceptable drug retention over a period of three months. Among all formulations, formulation F5 showed comparatively better physicochemical properties, higher mechanical strength, acceptable WVTR, and improved stability. The results of the present investigation suggest that Mupirocin-loaded transdermal patches may serve as a promising and effective drug delivery system for wound healing by providing sustained drug release and improved therapeutic performance.

Keywords: Mupirocin; Transdermal patches; Wound healing; Solvent casting method; Controlled drug delivery; Gelatin; Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); FTIR study; Stability study; Skin irritation study.