Transdermal delivery of isosorbide 5-mononitrate from a new membrane reservoir and matrix-type patches.

Isosorbide 5-mononitrate (5-ISMN) has a direct relaxing effect on vascular smooth muscle. In the present study we developed matrix and reservoir-type transdermal patches of 5-ISMN. We investigated the usefulness of a new film-forming material isolated from the roots of Salacia macrosperma to serve as rate-controlling membrane for the reservoir-type patches. Matrix-type patches were formulated using polyvinyl chloride. Permeation studies through rat skin were conducted on both types of patches using Teflon cells. The mean +/- SD flux values from the matrix- and reservoir-type patches were 99.55 +/- 22.89 and 31.82 +/- 8.31 micrograms/cm2.hr, respectively.