Rao et al Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics. 2019; 9(2):197-205 ISSN: 2250-1177 [197] CODEN (USA): JDDTAO Available online on 15.03.2019 at http://jddtonline.info Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research © 2011-18, publisher and licensee JDDT, This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited Open Access Research Article Design of transdermal patch of ketoprofen by full factorial design for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis Rao Monica*, Sonavne Vijay, Kulkarni Sayali, Magar Mayuri, Zope Abhishek, Karanjkar Pooja Department of Pharmaceutics, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Kennedy Road, Near RTO, Pune-411001 ABSTRACT Oral therapy of NSAIDs for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis causes gastric irritation and ulceration. In the present study transdermal patch of ketoprofen was developed using hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose E5 and Eudragit S100. Patches were prepared by solvent evaporation method. Optimization was carried out by 3 2 factorial design with polymer concentration (HPMC E5) and plasticizer concentration (propylene glycol) as independent variables. Patches were evaluated for folding endurance, surface pH, drug content, percent moisture content, water uptake and swelling studies. Ex vivo permeation studies of optimized patch was performed using Franz diffusion cell while bioadhesion force and tensile strength were measured by using texture analyzer. Hydrophilic nature, swelling ability and wettability of polymer and plasticizer were responsible for increase in flux and bioadhesion with increase in their concentrations in the factorial batches. Swelling index of all formulations was in the range of 17.3 ±1.2 to 65.29 ±4.78 up to 3h. Flux obtained from all batches was in the range of 3.37±0.23 to 5.43±0.13µg/h/cm 2 . Anti- inflammatory studies using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema showed greater paw swelling reduction in case of ketoprofen patch. Cumulative percent drug permeation of optimized patch through nylon 66, Wistar rat skin and cadaver skin was found to be 92.3% >86.28 %>63.42% in 8h, while flux order was 6.073> 5.442 > 2.219 µg/h/cm 2 respectively. The study concludes that transdermal patch of ketoprofen will be more efficacious with absence of gastric irritation observed in oral formulations. Keywords: Ketoprofen, Bioadhesion, HPMC E5, Flux, Backing membrane Article Info: Received 05 Feb 2019; Review Completed 07 March 2019; Accepted 09 March 2019; Available online 15 March 2019 Cite this article as: Rao M, Sonavne V, Kulkarni S, Magar M, Zope A, Karanjkar P, Design of transdermal patch of ketoprofen by full factorial design for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2019; 9(2):197-205 http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v9i2.2549 *Address for Correspondence: Dr. Monica RP Rao, Department of Pharmaceutics, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Kennedy Road, Near RTO, Pune-411001 INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease of the joints characterized by synovial proliferation and inflammatory and immunological processes. These mechanisms lead to irreversible degradative and erosive changes in the articular cartilage and juxta articular bone. RA affects multiple joints, most commonly small joints of the hands, feet and cervical spine, but larger joints like the shoulder and knee can also be involved 1,2 . Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) and steroids are used to reduce inflammation thereby decreasing pain and improving function. Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) are required to inhibit the underlying immune process and prevent long-term damage 1,3 . NSAIDS lead to gastrointestinal side effects such as dyspepsia to gastric bleeding 4 . The acidic character of NSAIDS may lead to local irritation, and lesions on the gastrointestinal mucosa are known as NSAIDS gastropathy 5 . Ketoprofen (KTF) is a propionic acid derivative which causes inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme involved in prostaglandin synthesis via the arachidonic acid pathway. This results in decreased levels of prostaglandin that mediate pain, fever and inflammation. KTF is a non-specific cyclooxygenase inhibitor and inhibition of COX-1 is responsible for its side effects, such as GI upset and ulceration 6 . Currently available marketed dosage form of KTF are enteric coated and extended release tablets, topical gel, liquid spray, suppositories, extended release capsules and formulation based on transfer some technology for direct application on the skin has been developed 7 . Transdermal therapeutic systems are defined as, discrete dosage forms which, applied to the intact skin, deliver the drugs at a controlled rate to the systemic circulation via skin and this delivery system offers an advantageous alternative to conventional delivery system such as injections or oral delivery 8,9 . Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) offers many advantages such as reduced side effects, less frequent administration to produce the desired constant plasma concentration associated with improved patient compliance,