Electromagnetic Field-Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Ibuprofen: Impact on Physicochemical Properties, Skin Permeability, and Drug Accumulation

Abstract Purpose Ibuprofen, a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, exhibits poor water solubility and limited skin permeability, which restricts its efficacy in transdermal applications. Electromagnetic fields have emerged as a novel, non-invasive strategy to modulate drug properties and enhance transdermal delivery. This study investigates the influence of various electromagnetic field modalities, oscillating, pulsed, static, and rotating, on the physicochemical properties, permeability, and skin accumulation of unmodified ibuprofen. Methods Ibuprofen samples were subjected to electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure and characterized by FTIR, XRD, DSC, TGA, solubility, and log P assays. In vitro permeation was assessed using Franz diffusion cells with porcine skin. Key parameters, including cumulative permeation (Q 8h ), steady-state flux (J SS ), and skin accumulation, were quantified. Results While EMF exposure did not alter ibuprofen’s molecular structure, subtle changes in crystallinity and thermal parameters were observed, particularly under rotating magnetic fields (RMF) and pulsed magnetic fields (PMF) conditions. Pulsed magnetic fields (PMF 10/10) and rotating fields (RMF 10 Hz) significantly improved both solubility and lipophilicity. RMF 10 Hz yielded the highest enhancement in skin permeability (Q 8h = 358.8 µg; K P = 12.7 × 10⁻ 3 cm/h). A parallel was found with naproxen, where RMF also proved most effective, supporting a generalizable field–effect relationship across structurally similar NSAIDs. Conclusions EMF, particularly RMF and PMF, presents a promising approach for enhancing the transdermal delivery of ibuprofen by modulating key physicochemical parameters. The congruence of results between ibuprofen and naproxen underscores the potential of electromagnetic-assisted drug delivery as a platform strategy for poorly soluble APIs. These findings open new perspectives for eco-conscious, non-invasive optimization of transdermal therapeutics.