Formulation, physical, in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of diclofenac diethylamine matrix patches containing turpentine oil as penetration enhancer

In this study, turpentine oil was used for enhancing the transdermal penetration of diclofenac diethylamine (DDEA) from matrix patches prepared using carboxypolymethylene (CPM) and ethyl cellulose (EC) by solvent evaporation technique. The drug matrix film was subjected to different physical testes like moisture content, moisture uptake and flatness, in vitro release and permeation studies and ex vivo permeation studies. In vitro permeation studies were performed across artificial skin, while ex vivo across rabbit abdominal skin. The effect of increasing concentration of turpentine oil on transdermal permeation of diclofenac diethylamine was studied on Franz cell apparatus. The results obtained were encouraging showing an increase in transdermal permeation with an increase in turpentine oil.