In the present study, an attempt has been made to enhance the transdermal permeation of prednisolone acetate through rat abdominal skin from topical hydrogel formulations with the help of sonophoresis and iontophoresis. The topical hydrogels were prepared using sodium alginate and carbopol; further they were evaluated for drug content uniformity, ex-vivo skin permeation with or without sonophoresis/iontophoresis and skin histopathology. Results reveal that under iontophoretic and sonophoretic conditions, the drug permeation was enhanced 2-3 folds as compared to the drug permeation under passive condition (without sonophoresis/iontophoresis). The presence of cineole enhanced the permeation of drug under iontophoretic and sonophoretic conditions to a greater extent. The histopathological evaluation of skin suggests that there were changes in the skin structure after application of ultrasound/DC electric current.

Transdermal delivery, prednisolone acetate, sonophoresis, iontophoresis, penetration enhancer.

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, BLDEA’s College of Pharmacy, BLDE University Campus, Bijapur 586 103, Karnataka, India.