Transdermal progesterone delivery from waterborne poly(urethane-urea)s nanocomposites films

Abstract Progesterone was incorporated in waterborne poly(urethane-urea)s nanocomposites based on montmorillonite (Mt) clay, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) or Mt/rGO hybrids for the development of new transdermal drug delivery systems. Polymer matrices were prepared from poly(ethylene glycol-block-propylene glycol) (PEG-b-PPG) (containing 7% PEG-based segments), and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), as soft segments. Cast films-drug interaction was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). In vitro release tests and ex vivo permeation test using pig ear skin were evaluate. The XRD and NMR results showed that the dispersion of progesterone crystals altered the amorphous region of the polymer. FTIR data suggested that the presence of progesterone decreased the strength of hydrogen bonds in nanocomposites. The Mt/rGO hybrid film promoted sustained drug permeation for 8 hours, indicating the possibility to be applied as transdermal delivery system, because both nanoloads acted as a barrier to drug diffusion.