OBJECTIVETo explore the application of ultraviolet spectrophotometer in determining papaverine hydrochloride content in blood and skin and to determine the intradermal content after local external application of papaverine hydrochloride.

METHODSPhosphate buffer solution (pH = 10, ionic strength = 0.4) was added into the blood or ground skin tissue containing papaverine hydrochloride, and papaverine hydrochloride was extracted with chloroform-hexane mixture (ratio:2:3). After oscillation and centrifugation, partial organic phase was retrieved and dried in 60 degrees C water bath. The dried product was dissolved in 1 mol/L HCl and then underwent filtration through 0.2 micron membrane. The ultraviolet apectrophotometry was applied to determine the content of papaverine hydrochloride in the filtrate. 2% papaverine hydrochloride cream was applied on pig's skin and skin specimen was retrieved at given time to determine the papaverine hydrochloride content in skin tissue with ultraviolet spectrophotometry.

RESULTSThe absorbance spectrum of the extract was typical of that of papaverine hydrochloride, with no miscellaneous peak. The extractive rate of papaverine hydrochloride in blood of was more than 92% and that in skin tissue more than 87%. Eight hours after external application of 2% papaverine hydrochloride cream on pig skin, the content of papaverine hydrochloride in skin tissue was more than 90 micrograms/g, significantly higher than the effective concentration of papaverine hydrochloride.

CONCLUSIONSUltraviolet spectrophotometry is a simple, economical and reliable method for the determination of papaverine hydrochloride content in blood and skin tissue, with good reproducibility and sensibility. External application of papaverine hydrocholine cream can provide efficient permeation and drug concentration in the skin.