Transdermal Patches: Design and Current Approaches Using Natural Polymers

Abstract

One method of controlled drug delivery is the transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS), which aims to distribute the drug through the skin at a predetermined and regulated rate. It provides a number of benefits, including a longer therapeutic impact, fewer side effects, increased bioavailability, better patient compliance, and simple medication therapy discontinuation. For most compounds, the stratum corneum is thought to be the rate limiting barrier in transdermal penetration. The appendageal, transcellular, and intercellular pathways are the three main ways that drugs can enter the body. When giving medication by this route, it is important to take into account the following aspects: skin age, condition, physicochemical characteristics, and environmental conditions. Polymer matrix, membrane, drug, penetration enhancers, pressure-sensitive adhesives, backing laminates, release liner, etc. are some of the fundamental parts of TDDS. Transdermal patches are used to deliver active chemicals to the circulatory system through the skin. These patches can be classified into a variety of systems, such as reservoir, matrix, and micro-reservoir systems. Consistent methodologies are used to assess the adhesion qualities, physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release studies, in vitro skin penetration studies, skin irritation studies, and stability studies once transdermal patches have been prepared. Different medications are marketed as transdermal patches, depending on the length of the therapy. Natural polymers can be used as the means of achieving predetermined rates of drug delivery. Natural polymers are basically polysaccharides so they are biocompatible and without any side effects. Gums, mucilages, resins and plant extracts are widely used natural materials for conventional and novel dosage forms. The present article highlights the available information on natural polymers and their versatile use.