International Journal of Innovations in Biological and Chemical Sciences, Volume 9, 2016, 31-38 31 EFFECT OF NATURAL ENHANCERS IN TRANSDERMAL PERMEATION OF FLUOXETINE Dashrath Singh 1,2* , Amrish Chandra 3 1 Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research Center, Bhagwant University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India 2 Department of Pharmacy, IBMER, Mangalayatan University, Aligarh 3 Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, India ABSTRACT Matrix-type transdermal drug delivery system of fluoxetine was prepared by solvent evaporation technique. Several batches were prepared by using different proportion of ethylcellulose (EC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone K- 30 (PVP) as a film former and dibutyl phthalate as a plasticizer. Eucalyptus oil and olive oil in three different concentrations i.e. 2, 5 and 10% were also employed as a natural enhancer to enhance the skin permeation of fluoxetine. All the prepared patches were subjected to physical characterizations (like thickness, weight variation, drug contents, moisture content, moisture uptake and flatness), in vitro drug release studies and in vitro skin permeation studies. All the formulations exhibited satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. In vitro skin permeation study showed that eucalyptus oil was a morepromising enhancer than olive oil. The increases in concentration of eucalyptus oil further enhanced drug permeation with maximum flux being achieved at 10% w/w of 36.70µg/cm 2 /h. The results of present study suggested that the formulation FE3 containing 10% w/w of eucalyptus oil could be feasible of delivering fluoxetine across skin. Keywords: Natural enhancer, transdermal patches, fluoxetine, eucalyptus oil, olive oil, flux. INTRODUCTION The transdermal route of drug administration is recognized as one of the potential route for the local and systemic delivery of the drug. Transdermal drug delivery system can deliver medicines via the skin portal to systemic circulation at a predetermined rate and maintain clinically effective concentration over a prolonged period of time. This route of drug administration avoid the hazards and discomfort associated with parenteral therapy and improves patient compliance, as it is easy to remove also. [1] The bioavailability of the drug increased as variation in absorption when it is taken orally and its first pass metabolism by the liver is avoided. Treatment can also be terminated rapidly by simply removing the patch when need to curtail drug delivery arises. Transdermal delivery may also eliminate side effects of that drugs cause when presented in conventional forms. [2] Fluoxetine is a potential selective serotonin- reuptake inhibitor, which blocks the serotonin reuptake pump of the neuronal membrane and thereby increasing the concentration of serotonin on 5HT 1A autoreceptors. Fluoxetine is used in several indications like depression, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress, bulimia nervosa and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. [3] The oral dose of its hydrochloride salt is administered in ranges *Corresponding author: Email: dsparihar2008@gmail.com http://dx.doi.org/10.20530/IJIBCS_9_31-38 ISSN 2047-9093© 2016