Development of Mixed Matrix Membranes as Potentials Drug Delivery Devices

Controlled release technology is rapidly growing due to the development of various polymers [1-2] and for the several advantages over conventional dosage forms, including improved efficacy and reduced toxicity [3]. Transdermal patches are innovative drug delivery systems that give the possibility to by-pass the gastrointestinal tract avoiding both its irritation that normally occurs and partial first-pass inactivation by the liver [4-5]. In this work, the release of two drugs from mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) was investigated with the aim to evaluate the effect of different zeolites (NaX, NaY and NaA) on the release kinetics. Different membranes were prepared via phase inversion technique using the dry method. After membrane preparation and morphology characterization, studies in vitro were performed to evaluate the effect of some factors on the release of ibuprofen. The experimental data indicated as this hydrophilic zeolite allowed to modulate the drug release with respect to the pure PDMS membrane [6-7]. In fact, the presence of the NaX particles have permitted to obtain a more linear release kinetic. The effect of the zeolite concentration on the drug release for the different systems was also investigated. At very high zeolite concentration the release rate decreases. This result is due to two different aspects. First of all, the formation of zeolite clusters into the polymeric matrix that hindered the release of the drug. Secondly, the increase of the zeolite content determined a more tortuous diffusion pathway of the drug into the polymeric matrix. The experimental results demonstrated as mixed matrix membranes zeolite-loaded are promising devices for the transdermal controlled release of the two investigated drugs.