Formulation, and physical, in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of transdermal ibuprofen hydrogels containing turpentine oil as penetration enhancer.

N R Khan, G M Khan, A Wahab, A R Khan, A Hussain, A Nawaz, M Akhlaq

Index: Pharmazie 66(11) , 849-52, (2011)

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the transdermal permeation enhancing capability of turpentine oil for ibuprofen from hydrogels. Ibuprofen 1% w/v hydrogels were developed with carboxypolymethylene with and without turpentine oil. Turpentine oil was incorporated in increasing concentrations, i.e. 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3% of the total gel formulation, and its permeation enhancing effect was examined. Gels were examined physically for pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, smoothness and appearance. To study the in vitro and ex vivo permeation potential of formulated gels, permeation studies were performed with a Franz diffusion cell using cellulose membrane and excised rabbit abdominal skin. Ibuprofen hydrogel with 3% turpentine oil showed a maximum flux of 10.87 mg/cm2/h across artificial skin and 17.26 mg/cm2/h across rabbit abdominal skin.