Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences 48 (2): 95–100, 2011 Pakistan Academy of Sciences Copyright © Pakistan Academy of Sciences ISSN: 0377 - 2969 Original Article Preparation and Evaluation of Clotrimazole Matrix Type Patch: Effect of Olive Oil on Drug Penetration Across Rabbit Skin Asif Nawaz, Gul Majid Khan, Shefaat Ullah Shah * , Kifayat Ullah Shah, Asim-ur-Rehman and Abid Hussain Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, K.P.K., Pakistan Abstract: The present study was conducted to formulate and evaluate transdermal patch of Clotrimazole for local as well as systemic therapy of severe to moderate fungal infections. The penetration effect of naturally occurring oil [Olive oil] was investigated on the in vitro penetration enhancement of Clotrimazole across synthetic membrane as well as albino rabbit skin. Clotrimazole was evaluated for its particle size and particle size distribution analysis by using Particle size analyzer [Horiba LA 300]. Clotrimazole patches were formulated by solvent evaporation method for in vitro drug penetration studies. Olive oil was added to some selected formulations at different concentrations i.e. 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3% to see their effect on drug release patterns.The formulated patches were evaluated for various physico-chemical parameters to check their suitability for topical application. Franz diffusion cell Apparatus [Perm Gear, USA] was used for in vitro drug release studies having phosphate buffer pH 7.4 as receptor solvent. Keywords: Clotrimazole; transdermal patch; Franz diffusion cell; olive oil. NTRODUCTION The transdermal drug delivery system is oftenly comprised of low bioavailability of the drug because of the barrier functions of the skin [1], but the drug release from this route is constant because of the avoidance of first-pass metabolism by the GIT. The amount of drug required for therapeutic effect in transdermal drug delivery systems as compared to oral routes is less bioavailable but the amount available is sufficient for therapeutic uses [2]. Transdermal drug delivery systems are used to treat several diseases but with limitations due to poor penetration through the skin. Topical formulations like creams, ointments,gels and patches can improve the delivery of certain drugs; this fact could be of great importance in succeeding the transdermal therapeutic approaches. The goal of improving the penetration of certain drugs via transdermal route can be achieved through penetration enhancers [3]. The poor absorption of the drug could be presumed by its physico-chemical properties but the drug’s penetration can be enhanced by the modification of medicinal chemists and nature of physiological barriers. To overcome the physiological barriers great investigative studies have been carried out by scientists so far and came to know that penetrative properties of drugs via transdermal route could be enhanced by using certain natural and synthetic compounds [2]. The use of certain systems that has greater chemical potential then that of corresponding saturated solutions is an alternative method and also that can promote the penetration of the drug from vehicle to the skin. Transdermal patches proved the efficacy of such studies. Drug loaded monolayer transdermal patch can be easily prepared by fast solvent evaporation [1]. MATERIAL AND METHODS Clotrimazole (Leads Pharma Islamabad, Pakistan), Carboxy polymethylene (Sigma Chemicals, USA), Triethanolamine, PVP K30 (Merk, Germany), Ethyl cellulose, Polyethylene glycol 400, Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, Sodium hydroxide (Merk, Germany), Ethanol, Olive oil [Sigma Aldrich, Germany], Magnetic stirrer, pH meter, Weighing balance, UV-Visible −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−− Received May 2011, Accepted June 2011 * Corresponding Author: Shefaat Ullah Shah; Email: kifayat83@yahoo.com