OBJECTIVETo study the pharmacokinetics of ferulic acid in transdermal delivery; the influence factors such as temperature, flow rate, and drug concentration on the probe recovery are also investigated to obtain accurate data.

METHODThe stability of in vitro and in vivo recovery was determined by loss but the influence factor on the recovery was determined by gain. Appling dermal microdialysis to ferulic acid analytes, the concentration of ferulic acid in the dialysate was detected by HPLC.

RESULTThere is a significant effect on the probe recovery for the in vitro recovery is much bigger at a higher temperature. When the flow rate rises, the in vitro recovery is down at index rate instead. Within the measuring rage, the drug concentration doesn't have effect on the recovery. The steady and reproduce of recovery is well within the measuring time, and the average recovery of in vitro is (24.82 +/- 1.01)% without temperature control and in vivo is (16.50 +/- 1.92)%. The C(max) of ferulic acid is 86 min and MRT is 291 min after dermal administration.

CONCLUSIONDermal microdialyis can be used in the ferulic acid study. For the ferulic acid can permeate the corneum quciky, it is practical to develop a transdermal delivery.