Progress of Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems for Natural Drugs

OBJECTIVE To summarize the latest research progress in formulations and technologies of transdermal drug delivery system(TDDS) for natural drugs. METHODS The research articles published in the past six years related to TDDS for natural drugs were reviewed from the perspectives of formulations and technologies. RESULTS Transdermal drug delivery systems have the advantages of controlled release,readily wiping off,high accumulation in situ,high safety and low side effect,which become an important dosage form in the pharmaceutical market. The novel dosage forms of TDDS for natural drugs include nanoparticles,microemulsions,vesicles,prodrugs and liquid crystalline. The related novel techniques include transdermal penetration enhancers,iontophoresis,and sonophoresis. CONCLUSION The trend of TDDS for natural drugs is to combine the novel forms and the techniques to improve drug transdermal absorption and controlled release. This may be advantageous for improving RD of TDDS for natural drugs.