title: Transdermal delivery of paeonol using cubic gel and microemulsion gel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to develop new systems for transdermal delivery of paeonol, in particular microemulsion gel and cubic gel formulations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Various microemulsion vehicles were prepared using isopropyl myristate as an oil phase, polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor(®) EL) as a surfactant, and polyethylene glycol 400 as a cosurfactant. In the optimum microemulsion gel formulation, carbomer 940 was selected as the gel matrix, and consisted of 1% paeonol, 4% isopropyl myristate, 28% Cremophor EL/polyethylene glycol 400 (1:1), and 67% water. The cubic gel was prepared containing 3% paeonol, 30% water, and 67% glyceryl monooleate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A skin permeability test using excised rat skins indicated that both the cubic gel and microemulsion gel formulations had higher permeability than did the paeonol solution. An in vivo pharmacokinetic study done in rats showed that the relative bioavailability of the cubic gel and microemulsion gel was enhanced by about 1.51-fold and 1.28-fold, respectively, compared with orally administered paeonol suspension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the cubic gel and microemulsion gel formulations are promising delivery systems to enhance the skin permeability of paeonol, in particular the cubic gel.
authors: School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republicof China.
authors: Maofu
authors: M
authors: Luo
authors: Qi
authors: Q
authors: Shen
authors: Jinjin
authors: J
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D004655:Emulsions / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010539:Permeability; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D004655:Emulsions; D005782:Gels; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; C013638:paeonol