title: [Formulation study on cryptotanshinone gel for topical administration].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To screen the formulations of cryptotanshinone gel for treatment of topical diseases such as acne.
  
  
  METHODS
  Different cryptotanshinone gels incorporating various penetration enhancers at different concentrations were prepared using carbopol 934L as matrix. The steady transdermal fluxes and drug retention amounts in skin of the gels were investigated on single chamber diffusion cells using excised rat abdomen skin as model and 40% polyethylene glycol-400 saline as releasing media. The optimal formulation would be the gel which had the maximum drug retention amount/ transdermal drug flux ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The promotion effects of menthol at different concentrations were as follows: 5% > 3% > 1%, and the effects on drug retention amount in skin were followed as: 5% approximately equal 3% > 1%; The promotion effects of a zone at different concentrations were as follows: 5% approximately equal 3% > 1%, and the effects on drug retention amount in skin were as follows: 5% > 3% approximately equal 1%. Combination of enhancers showed no superior effects compared to single uses. 5% azone had the maximum retention amount/ transdermal flux ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optimal formulation was the cryptotanshinone gel containing 5% azone.
authors: Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
authors: Zhenwei
authors: Z
authors: Yu
authors: Wenquan
authors: W
authors: Liang
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D005782:Gels; D008297:Male; D010539:Permeability; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C037886:cryptotanshinone