THE EFFECT OF POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE AND HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE ON HP-BETA-CD COMPLEXATION OF HYDROCORTISONE AND ITS PERMEABILITY THROUGH HAIRLESS MOUSE SKIN

The effect of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD), polyviny lpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on the flu x of hydrocortisone from an aqueous solution through hairless mouse sk in was investigated in vitro. When the drug concentration was kept con stant and the HP beta CD concentration was gradually increased, the fl ux through the skin was increased until all the drug had dissolved; af ter that the flux decreased with increasing HP beta CD concentration. PVP and HPMC increased the hydrocortisone-HP beta CD complexation resu lting in increased solubilization of the drug. Also, the transdermal d elivery of hydrocortisone could be increased by addition of a small am ount of PVP or HPMC to an HP beta CD-containing vehicle.