Penetration enhancer-containing spanlastics (PECSs) for transdermal delivery of haloperidol: in vitro characterization, ex vivo permeation and in vivo biodistribution studies

Haloperidol (Hal) is one of the widely used antipsychotic drugs. When orally administered, it suffers from low bioavailability due to hepatic first pass metabolism. This study aimed at developing Hal-loaded penetration enhancer-containing spanlastics (PECSs) to increase transdermal permeation of Hal with sustained release. PECSs were successfully prepared using ethanol injection method showing reasonable values of percentage entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. The statistical analysis of the ex vivo permeation parameters led to the choice of F1L – made of Span(®) 60 and Tween(®) 80 at the weight ratio of 4:1 along with 1% w/v Labrasol(®) – as the selected formula (SF). SF was formulated into a hydrogel by using 2.5% w/v of HPMC K4M. The hydrogel exhibited good in vitro characteristics. Also, it retained its physical and chemical stability for one month in the refrigerator. The radiolabeling of SF showed a maximum yield by mixing of 100 µl of diluted formula with 50 µl saline having 200 MBq of (99m)Tc and containing 13.6 mg of reducing agent (NaBH(4)) and volume completed to 300 µl by saline at pH 10 for 10 min as reaction time. The biodistribution study showed that the transdermal (99m)Tc-SF hydrogel exhibited a more sustained release pattern and longer circulation duration with pulsatile behavior in the blood and higher brain levels than the oral (99m)Tc-SF dispersion. So, transdermal hydrogel of SF may be considered a promising sustained release formula for Hal maintenance therapy with reduced dose size and less frequent administration than oral formula.