A Pharmacokinetic Study of an Ibuprofen Topical Patch in Healthy Male and Female Adult Volunteers

Transdermal administration of ibuprofen-loaded hexagonal liquid crystal gel for enhancement of drug concentration in the uterus: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common disease in women, and oral administration of Ibuprofen (IBU) is associated with first-pass effects and gastrointestinal irritation. Here, we developed ibuprofen-loaded hexagonal liquid crystal (IBU HLC) gel for transdermal administration. In this study, the structure of prepared IBU HLC was characterized using polarizing microscopey (PLM) and small angle X ray diffraction (SAXS). In vitro drug release behavior and percutaneous penetration were investigated, and drug transdermal behavior was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Finally, the pharmacokinetic profile and tissue distribution were investigated after transdermal administration. The PLM and SAXS results showed that the inner structure of IBU HLC was hexagonal phase. Moreover, in vitro release, skin permeation and CLSM demonstrated that IBU HLC had an excellent sustained-release effect, and a good transdermal penetration effect accompanied by the combination of multiple percutaneous routes. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that IBU entered the blood circulation through abdominal transdermal administration in small amounts, mainly entering the uterus, and had a certain targeting ability. In conclusion, the IBU HLC gel would be a promising sustained-release preparation for transdermal administration to relieve dysmenorrhea with a significant drug concentration in the uterus.

Topical NSAIDs for acute local pain relief: in vitro characterization of drug delivery profiles into and through human skin

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relates not only to the individual NSAID used but also to differences in formulation design. The aim of this study was to investigate the fundamental differences in ibuprofen and diclofenac drug delivery vehicles, specifically gels and plasters, compared to a recently launched 200 mg ibuprofen medicated plaster and characterize the resulting dermatologic-pharmacokinetic profiles into and through ex vivo human skin layers.

METHODS

In vitro skin permeation testing over 24 h and sacrificial timepoint penetration experiments (at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h) were conducted using an automated flow-through diffusion cell system. The amount of drug delivered to the epidermis, dermis, and receptor solution (representing deeper tissue) was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Skin protein binding of ibuprofen and diclofenac was investigated by spiking skin homogenate with increasing concentrations of each drug and determining the fraction unbound.

RESULTS

Differences were observed in the amount of drug recovered at sacrificial timepoints and rate at which drug was delivered to the target site between plaster and gel formulations of ibuprofen and diclofenac and between plaster formulations of the same drug (ibuprofen). While the amount of drug quantified at sacrificial timepoints did not necessarily determine in vivo flux rates, differences in drug distribution within the skin layers indicated where drug reservoirs were formed.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the importance of intelligent formulation design in determining NSAID delivery through skin layers. Further work is required to quantify drug delivery into deeper tissues and the resultant local anti-inflammatory effects.

Expert consensus of the Chinese Association for the Study of Pain on pain treatment with the transdermal patch

Chronic pain lasting more than 3 mo, or even several years can lead to disability. Treating chronic pain safely and effectively is a critical challenge faced by clinicians. Because administration of analgesics through oral, intravenous or intramuscular routes is not satisfactory, research toward percutaneous delivery has gained interest. The transdermal patch is one such percutaneous delivery system that can deliver drugs through the skin and capillaries at a certain rate to achieve a systemic or local therapeutic effect in the affected area. It has many advantages including ease of administration and hepatic first pass metabolism avoidance as well as controlling drug delivery, which reduces the dose frequency and side effects. If not required, then the patch can be removed from the skin immediately. The scopolamine patch was the first transdermal patch to be approved for the treatment of motion sickness by the Food and Drug Administration in 1979. From then on, the transdermal patch has been widely used to treat many diseases. To date, no guidelines or consensus are available on the use of analgesic drugs through transdermal delivery. The pain branch of the Chinese Medical Association, after meeting and discussing with experts and based on clinical evidence, developed a consensus for promoting and regulating standard use of transdermal patches containing analgesic drugs.

Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Ibuprofenamine Hydrochloride Spray (NSAIDs), a New Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis, in Healthy Chinese Subjects

Background

Ibuprofenamine hydrochloride spray is novel transdermal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), under clinical development for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis as a novel transdermal drug.

Methods

A single and multiple ascending dose study investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ibuprofenamine hydrochloride in healthy Chinese subjects. A total of 34 subjects (single-dose study: 34 subjects and multiple-dose study: 20 subjects) were involved in the trial. In the single-dose study, subjects were assigned to one of the four groups received 35, 70, 140, 280 mg. In the 70 mg and 140 mg treatment groups, subjects received one dose on the first day and twice a day from day 6 to 12. The starting dose was determined considering the no observed adverse effect level based on preclinical studies, and the dose escalations in subsequent cohorts were decided based on safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic data from previous dose cohorts.

Results

After a single dose, both ibuprofenamine and ibuprofen plasma exposure showed a more than dose-proportional increase across a dose range of 35–280 mg. After multiple dosing, both ibuprofenamine and ibuprofen steady-state exposure increased obviously more than dose-proportional manner across the evaluated dose range (twice a day for 7 days) resulted in obvious accumulation. Single or multiple doses of ibuprofenamine hydrochloride were generally well tolerated and no obvious skin irritation was observed.

Conclusion

Ibuprofenamine hydrochloride exhibited a safety and pharmacokinetic profile that supports its future investigation as a potential therapeutic for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

Transdermal Administration of Ibuprofen-Loaded Gel: Preparation, Pharmacokinetic Profile, and Tissue Distribution

The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of ibuprofen (IBU) gel in female rats after transdermal administration through the skin of the abdomen and back. IBU was used as the model drug to prepare carbomer gel. After the abdominal and back administration, the concentration of IBU in rat plasma was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Besides, the contents of IBU in the uterus, heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney were detected, respectively, to clarify the distribution characteristics in vivo. Through abdominal route, the AUC0- ∞ (area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity) of uterus was 424.75 μg/g h, which is 3.60 times higher than that of plasma, and was significantly higher than that of other tissues (P < 0.0001). Tmax (peak time) of uterus and plasma was 4 h and 2 h, respectively. Upon transdermal application of IBU to the back, the AUC0-∞ of uterus was 75.47 μg/g h, which is 12.63 times lower than that of plasma, while Tmax of uterus and plasma was not lower than 20 h. These results indicated that IBU entered the blood circulation through abdominal administration in a small amount and mainly of the drug entered the uterus, while IBU entered the blood circulation and redistributed to tissues after absorption through the dorsal skin slowly. IBU could effectively reach the uterus and have a certain targeting through abdominal administration, which provides a prospect for clinical transdermal administration in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.

Measurement of the penetration of 56 cosmetic relevant chemicals into and through human skin using a standardized protocol

OECD test guideline 428 compliant protocol using human skin was used to test the penetration of 56 cosmetic‐relevant chemicals. The penetration of finite doses (10 μL/cm²) of chemicals was measured over 24 hours. The dermal delivery (DD) (amount in the epidermis, dermis and receptor fluid [RF]) ranged between 0.03 ± 0.02 and 72.61 ± 8.89 μg/cm². The DD of seven chemicals was comparable with in vivo values. The DD was mainly accounted for by the amount in the RF, although there were some exceptions, particularly of low DD chemicals. While there was some variability due to cell outliers and donor variation, the overall reproducibility was very good. As six chemicals had to be applied in 100% ethanol due to low aqueous solubility, we compared the penetration of four chemicals with similar physicochemical properties applied in ethanol and phosphate‐buffered saline. Of these, the DD of hydrocortisone was the same in both solvents, while the DD of propylparaben, geraniol and benzophenone was lower in ethanol. Some chemicals displayed an infinite dose kinetic profile; whereas, the cumulative absorption of others into the RF reflected the finite dosing profile, possibly due to chemical volatility, total absorption, chemical precipitation through vehicle evaporation or protein binding (or a combination of these). These investigations provide a substantial and consistent set of skin penetration data that can help improve the understanding of skin penetration, as well as improve the prediction capacity of in silico skin penetration models.

The penetration of 56 chemicals was tested in human skin using a standard protocol. Dermal delivery correlated with the amount in the receptor fluid (RF). The impact of solvent on penetration was evaluated. Despite finite doses being applied, different profiles of cumulative absorption kinetics into the RF were observed. These data may help understand skin penetration and improve the prediction capacity of in silico skin penetration models.

A hollow mesoporous carbon from metal-organic framework for robust adsorbability of ibuprofen drug in water

Herein, we described a tunable method for synthesis of novel hollow mesoporous carbon (MPC) via direct pyrolysis (800^oC) of MIL-53 (Fe) as a self-sacrificed template. The structural characterization revealed a hollow, amorphous, defective and mesoporous MPC along with high surface area (approx. 200 m² g^-1). For the experiments of ibuprofen adsorption onto MPC, effects of contact time, MPC dosage, ionic strength, concentration and temperature were systematically investigated. The optimal conditions consisted of pH = 3, concentration 10 mg l^-1 and dose of 0.1 g l^-1 for the highest ibuprofen removal efficiency up to 88.3% after 4 h. Moreover, adsorption behaviour, whereby chemisorption and monolayer controlled the uptake of ibuprofen over MPC, were assumed. Adsorption mechanisms including H-bonding, π-π interaction, metal-oxygen, electrostatic attraction were rigorously proposed. In comparison to several studies, the MPC nanocomposite in this work obtained the outstanding maximum adsorption capacity (206.5 mg g^-1) and good reusability (5 cycles); thus, it can be used as a feasible alternative for decontamination of ibuprofen anti-inflammatory drug from water.

Efficacy and tolerability of a new ibuprofen 200mg plaster in patients with acute sports-related traumatic blunt soft tissue injury/contusion

BACKGROUND

Ibuprofen is used for the treatment of non-serious pain. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of a new ibuprofen plaster for the treatment of pain associated with acute sports impact injuries/contusions.

METHODS

In this randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo controlled, parallel group study, adults (n = 130; 18-58 years of age) diagnosed with acute sports-related blunt soft tissue injury/contusion were randomized to receive either ibuprofen 200 mg plaster or placebo plaster. Plasters were administered once daily for five consecutive days. The primary assessment was area under the visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain on movement (POM) over 0 to three days (VAS AUC_0-3d). Other endpoints included algometry AUC from 0 to three days (AUC_0-3d) and 0 to five days (AUC_0-5d), to evaluate improvement of sensitivity at the injured site, and patient and investigator global assessment of efficacy. Safety was monitored throughout the study.

RESULTS

The ibuprofen plaster resulted in superior reduction in AUC_0-3d compared with placebo; the Least Squares (LS) mean difference was 662.82 mm*h in favour of the ibuprofen 200mg plaster (P = 0.0011). The greater improvement in VAS AUC of POM was also observed after 12 h, 24 h, and five days of therapy. Tenderness also significantly improved with the ibuprofen plaster compared with placebo; LS mean difference in algometry/tenderness AUC_0-3d was 1.87 N/cm²*d and AUC_0-5d was 1.87 N/cm²*d (P values ≤0.0004). At all study timepoints, a greater percentage of patients and investigators rated the effectiveness of the ibuprofen 200 mg plaster as good/excellent than the placebo plaster. Treatment-emergent adverse events for the ibuprofen plaster were few (≤1.5%) and were mild in severity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate 200 mg plaster is effective and safe for the treatment of pain due to acute sports-related traumatic blunt soft tissue injury/contusion in adults.