Bacterial cellulose membranes as transdermal delivery systems for diclofenac: In vitro dissolution and permeation studies

• BC membranes were used as transdermal systems for diclofenac sodium.
• BC-diclofenac sodium loaded membranes were very homogeneous and quite flexible.
• Permeation studies through human epidermis were conducted using Franz cells.
• The results showed therapeutic feasibility when compared with commercial products.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes were explored as novel nanostructured transdermal delivery systems for diclofenac sodium salt (a typical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Diclofenac sodium salt loaded BC membranes were prepared through a simple methodology, using glycerol as plasticizer, and characterized in terms of structure, morphology and swelling behavior. The membranes were very homogeneous, quite flexible and presented a considerably higher swelling behavior when compared with pure BC. In vitro diffusion studies with Franz cells, were conducted using human epidermal membranes, and showed that the incorporation of diclofenac in BC membranes provided similar permeation rates to those obtained with commercial patches and substantially lower than those observed with a commercial gel. This release profile together with the ease of application and the simple preparation and assembly of the drug-loaded membranes clearly indicates the enormous potentialities of using BC membranes for transdermal administration of diclofenac.