Smart Polymeric Nanofibers for Topical Delivery of Levothyroxine

Authors

  • Anahita Fathi Azarbayjani National University of Singapore
  • Jayarama Reddy Venugopal Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore
  • Seeram Ramakrishna Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore
  • Fung Chye Lim Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore
  • Yew Weng Chan Department of Anaesthesiology, Singapore General Hospital
  • Sui Yung Chan Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18433/J3TS3G

Abstract

Topical administration of levothyroxine (T4) helps to reduces deposits of adipose tissue on skin. The question is whether topical application of T4 could lead to systemic effects. In the present study a series of nanofibrous membranes were electrospun into blends of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) to develop a sustained topical delivery of T4. The polymeric nanofiber mats were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In vitro permeation of the drug from the polymeric nanofibers was studied using excised human skin and the permeation mechanism investigated using confocal microscopy. It was observed that polymeric nanofibers were able to sustain the penetration of T4 to the skin and help maintain the effective drug concentration in the skin layers for longer period of time. These formulations may have potential uses in topical skin products and can help to increase the accumulation of the active compound on the skin surface thus minimize the adverse side effects which may be caused by systemic absorption. This may result in great improvement in consumer compliance, avoid frequent dosing and enhance the therapeutic effectiveness.

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Author Biographies

Anahita Fathi Azarbayjani, National University of Singapore

Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18, Science Drive 4, 117543

Jayarama Reddy Venugopal, Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore

Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, 2 Engineering Drive 3, 119260, Singapore

Seeram Ramakrishna, Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore

Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, 2 Engineering Drive 3, 119260, Singapore

Fung Chye Lim, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore

Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18, Science Drive 4, 117543

Yew Weng Chan, Department of Anaesthesiology, Singapore General Hospital

Department of Anaesthesiology, Singapore General Hospital, 169608, Singapore

Sui Yung Chan, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore

Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18, Science Drive 4, 117543

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Published

2010-09-29

How to Cite

Fathi Azarbayjani, A., Venugopal, J. R., Ramakrishna, S., Lim, F. C., Chan, Y. W., & Chan, S. Y. (2010). Smart Polymeric Nanofibers for Topical Delivery of Levothyroxine. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13(3), 400–410. https://doi.org/10.18433/J3TS3G

Issue

Section

Pharmaceutical Sciences; Review Articles