Transdermal absorption studies of Nirgundi (Vitex Negundo Linn) taila and Kashaya (Decoction) with the aid of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Introduction: Transdermal route is one of the routes of drug administration where the drug is applied over the skin in different forms and procedures. References highlight absorption of the veerya of the drug through the skin. In this study, the dermal absorption of the drug was assessed using diffusion cell apparatus. For easy evaluation, a single drug Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) was selected. To assess the influence of media, the drug was tested in oil and water media. Methods: Experimental study was performed using diffusion cell apparatus with Strata-M synthetic membrane. The transdermally absorbed compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) in comparison to the original sample. The study was repeated at 30°C and 42°C to assess the influence of temperature. Results: In the absorption study at 30°C, four compounds were detected in Tila Taila (TT), one compound in Nirgundi taila (NT), and 13 compounds were detected in Nirgundi kashaya (NK). At 42°C, TT showed one compound, two compounds in NT, and no absorption was evident in NK. Conclusion: The comparative GCMS showed the passage of only a few chemical constituents. The compounds detected after absorption were chemically different, which may be due to the oxygenation of the compounds or interaction with the buffer solution. More constituents passed in water media. When the temperature of the liquid is raised, less number o constituents was detected and their chemical nature also changed, which may be due to thermal damage to the membrane. This method, with alternative analytical techniques, can be used as an efficient method for the analysis of transdermal absorption of Ayurvedic medicines