Nicotine transdermal delivery systems(nicotine-TDSs) have provided effective assistance to smokers in smoking cessation with minimal occurrence of withdrawal symptoms.A hydrocolloidal matrix system containing complexes of chitosan was investigated for preparing a transparent and water-soluble/miscible gel ointment.The physicochemical properties of ointment was determined by Cone and Plate viscometer and differential scanning calorimetry.Further,the effect of properties of ointment on the release of nicotine from chitosan hydrogel and percutaneous absorption was assessed by in vitro studies.The gel initially hardened when nicotine was used but did subsequentyl liquefy by adding lactic acid.The DSC measurements indicated that the componentsof the ointment did not chemically interact with one another. An increase in drug release rate was associated with a corresponding decrease in the viscosity of gel.In the in vitro skin permeation studies,only trace amount of nicotine had permeated through the art skin.A much greater enhancing effect could be achieved when benzalkonium chloride was incorporated into chitosan gels.
