Development and evaluation of a novel transdermal delivery system for antihypertensive drugs.

Received: 21-Jan-2023, Manuscript No. AJPTI-23-92522; Editor assigned: 26-Jan-2023, Pre QC No. AJPTI-23-92522; Reviewed: 16-Feb-2023, QC No. AJPTI-23-92522; Revised: 23-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. AJPTI-23-92522;

Description

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by sustained elevated levels of blood pressure, which can lead to various complications such as heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure. Antihypertensive drugs are commonly used to manage hypertension, but they have some drawbacks, such as poor bioavailability, variable absorption, and adverse effects. To overcome these limitations, a novel transdermal delivery system for antihypertensive drugs has been developed.

Transdermal drug delivery has gained popularity in recent years because it offers several advantages over conventional oral or injectable drug delivery methods. Transdermal delivery avoids first-pass metabolism, minimizes systemic side effects, and provides a constant and controlled drug release, leading to improved patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes. However, the transdermal delivery of antihypertensive drugs faces some challenges, such as poor permeation through the skin barrier and low drug solubility.

To overcome these challenges, several strategies have been developed, including the use of chemical enhancers, physical methods, and novel drug delivery systems. The novel transdermal delivery system for antihypertensive drugs is based on the use of microneedles. Microneedles are tiny needles that can penetrate the skin barrier without causing pain or bleeding. They produce microscopic channels in the skin, allowing the drug to diffuse through the epidermis and reach the systemic circulation.

The microneedle-based transdermal delivery system has several advantages over traditional transdermal patches. First, it can deliver a wider range of drugs, including those with poor solubility and high molecular weight. Second, it allows for a faster and more efficient drug delivery, as the drug is directly delivered to the systemic circulation without being subjected to first-pass metabolism. Third, it offers a painless and easy-to-use method of drug delivery, as the microneedles are so small that they are barely visible to the naked eye.

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of microneedle-based transdermal delivery of antihypertensive drugs. For example, a recent study conducted on rats showed that the microneedle-based delivery of the antihypertensive drug captopril resulted in a significant reduction in blood pressure levels compared to oral administration. Another study conducted on human volunteers showed that the microneedle based delivery of the antihypertensive drug enalapril was well tolerated and resulted in similar blood pressure reductions as oral administration.

This system also offers some additional advantages over traditional transdermal patches. For example, traditional transdermal patches can only deliver drugs with low molecular weight and lipophilicity. However, microneedles can deliver a wider range of drugs, including those with high molecular weight and hydrophilicity. Additionally, microneedles can overcome the skin's natural barrier, which limits the penetration of drugs. Traditional transdermal patches rely on the drug diffusing through the skin's layers, which can be slow and inefficient. Microneedles produce channels in the skin, allowing the drug to bypass the skin's natural barrier and reach the systemic circulation more efficiently.

The microneedle-based transdermal delivery system has several potential applications in the treatment of hypertension and other chronic medical conditions. For example, it could be used to deliver other antihypertensive drugs, such as angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Additionally, it could be used to deliver other types of drugs, such as insulin for diabetes or analgesics for pain management.

Citation: Wang YL. Development and Evaluation of a Novel Transdermal Delivery System for Antihypertensive Drugs AJPTI 2023;11(40):1-2