Evaluation of transdermal absorption effect of diclofenac sodium enhanced by menthol and azone with efficacy function method

OBJECTIVE To investigate the application of efficacy function on evaluating synthetically the promotion effect of skin penetration enhancers. METHODS The transdermal absorption experimentation was carried out on the dual-chamber devices in vitro.The concentrations of diclofenac sodium in the receptor fluid of different groups that menthol and azone used alone or combined were detected at different intervals. The three indices, such as penetrating rate, stable flux and lag time, were calculated upon the concentrateion.The comprehensive evaluation of many indices was carried with efficacy function method. Based on the weight of each index, the comprehensive weight value was calculated and comparised, the programme whose weight value is the largest is the optimal one. RESULTS The steady flow and infiltration coefficient of different group were compared, the order is 1%azone2% menthol1%menthol1%azone+1%menthol1%azone+2%mentholnon-enhancers group; but compared to lag time of different groups, the order is non-enhancers group1%azone+1%menthol1%azone+2%menthol1%azone2%menthol1%menthol. According to the results calculated with efficacy function method,the optimal group is the 1%azone group.CONCLUSION The efficacy function method may become a new approach evaluating the effect of skin penetration enhancers synthetically.