Development and evaluation of a heparin gel for transdermal delivery via laser-generated micropores.

Our study investigated the feasibility of transdermal delivery of heparin, an anticoagulant used against venous thromboembolism, as an alternative to intravenous administration. Skin was pretreated using ablative laser (Precise Laser Epidermal System [P.L.E.A.S.E.] technology) for enhanced delivery of heparin. permeation studies using static Franz diffusion cells provided a comparison between delivery from 0.3% w/v heparin-loaded poloxamer gel and solution across untreated and laser-treated dermatomed porcine ear skin. No passive delivery of heparin was observed. Laser-assisted delivery from solution (26.07 ± 1.82 μg/cm) was higher (p < 0.05) than delivery from heparin gel (11.28 ± 5.32 μg/cm). However, gel is likely to sustain the delivery over prolonged periods like a maintenance dose via continuous intravenous infusion. Thus, ablative laser pretreatment successfully delivered heparin, establishing the feasibility of delivering hydrophilic macromolecules using the transdermal route.