Preparation and Evaluation of Transdermal Plasters Containing Norfloxacin: A Novel Treatment for Burn Wound Healing

OBJECTIVE In an attempt for better treatment of bacterial infections and burn wounds, plaster formulations containing different concentrations of norfloxacin were prepared using polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol and evaluated for physicochemical parameters, in vitro drug release, antimicrobial activity, and burn wound healing properties. The prepared formulations were compared with silver sulfadiazine cream 1%, USP. METHODS Plaster formulations containing different concentrations of norfloxacin were prepared by solvent casting method using combination of polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol. These plasters were characterized for drug content, thickness, percentage elongation, tensile strength, in vitro drug release properties, and antimicrobial activity against various strains of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. The wound healing property was evaluated by histopathological examination and by measuring the wound contraction. RESULTS The in vitro release and in vitro skin permeation followed the first-order kinetics followed by diffusion as dominant release mechanism. In spite of the significant antimicrobial and wound healing effects produced by plasters, the observed values were less than the values obtained with silver sulfadiazine 1% cream (P < .05). Various histopathological changes observed during the study period (days 1, 4, 8, and 12) also supported the wound healing process. CONCLUSION Based on the observed in vitro performances along with antimicrobial and wound healing effects, the 5% norfloxacin transdermal plasters could be employed as an alternative to commercial silver sulfadiazine 1% cream.