In vitro evaluation of transdermal permeation effects of Fu s cupping therapy via six diffusion kinetics models

In this study, six kinetics models of indomethacin hydrophilic gel patch transdermal in vitro release was established, including zerolevel, firstorder, Higuchilevel, RitgerPeppas, Weibull and HixconCrowell dynamic equations. The chemical permeation enhancers, including 3% and 5% Azone, and iontophoresis were used as the control. Transdermal diffusion tests were performed in vitro and indomethacin was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography system. The transdermal parameter of the Higuchi and Weibull dynamic equations, indicated that Fu s cupping therapy (FCT) could significantly improve Higuchi and Weibull kinetic parameters in vitro transdermal, increased transdermal rate and permeability coefficient, reduced lagging time. Additionally, statistical analysis speculated the skin barrier function could be restored after 46 h treatment. Hence, as a new physical transdermal drug delivery technology, transdermal permeation effects produced by FCT are obvious, which has the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine and has important clinical application value.