title: In-vitro transcutaneous delivery of tamoxifen and gamma-linolenic acid from borage oil containing ethanol and 1,8-cineole.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of ethanol and 1,8-cineole on the transcutaneous delivery of tamoxifen and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) as a two-pronged anti-breast cancer therapy. Formulations containing tamoxifen and varying concentrations of borage oil (approximately 25% GLA), 1,8-cineole and ethanol were prepared and the simultaneous permeation of tamoxifen and GLA determined across full-thickness pig skin using Franz-type diffusion cells over 48 h. Analysis of tamoxifen and GLA (as methyl ester) were by reverse-phase HPLC. The highest flux of tamoxifen of 488.2 +/- 191 x 10(-3) microg cm(-2) h(-1) was observed with a formulation containing 20% 1,8-cineole and 20% ethanol. The same formulation also provided the greatest flux of GLA, 830.6 x 10(-3) microg cm(-2 )h(-1). The findings from this work demonstrate the ability of 1,8-cineole and ethanol to enhance the in-vitro permeation of tamoxifen and GLA across the skin and support the plausibility of simultaneously delivering tamoxifen and GLA transcutaneously as a two-pronged anti-breast cancer system.
authors.affiliation: Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, CF10 3XF, UK.
authors.forename: Suzanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Heard
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077591:Eucalyptol; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D012867:Skin; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013552:Swine; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010938:Plant Oils; D012997:Solvents; D013629:Tamoxifen; D000431:Ethanol; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; C079363:borage oil; D000077591:Eucalyptol