| Summary: | Damar Batu (DB) looks like stone with black or dark brown color inside. Due to its film forming ability it is used in the manufacture of paper, wood, varnishes, lacquers, polishes and additives for beverages. In the present study the permeability of free films of DB casted from chloroform solution containing differrent plasticizers was studied with a view to developing a suitable rate controlling membrane for transdermal use. The free films of DB were prepared by a mercury substrate technique and dibutyl sebacate (DBS), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) and propylene glycol (PG) were tried as plasticizers. DB films were then evaluated for uniformity of thickness, moisture absorption, water vapour transmission, tensile strength, percentage elongation and folding endurance. Permeability characteristics of free films of DB were studied using diltiazem hydrochloride (DH) as a model drug. Little variation in film thickness ensured the uniformity of the films. DBS produces tough DB films with more tensile strength. Drug diffusion through the free films followed zero order kinetics. The films plasticized with PEG400 showed higher permeability for DH compared with other films. The order of decrease of permeability of plasticized films with plasticizers was PEG400 > PG > DBP > DBS. Diffusion of drugs through the free films of DB was extended over a longer period of time at a controlled rate. DB seems to be a promising rate controlling membrane for the transdermal application.
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