title: Development and characterization of a ricinoleic acid poloxamer gel system for transdermal eyelid delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study deals with the preparation and evaluation of a pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO gel) containing ricinoleic acid for the transdermal eyelid delivery of dexamethasone and tobramycin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five different PLO gel formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5) containing tobramycin (0.3%) and dexamethasone (0.1%) were prepared and compared to a conventional PLO gel (light mineral oil PLO gel, F6) with respect to physical appearance and viscosity. The optimized ricinoleic acid PLO gel formulation (F2) was further characterized for pH, gelation temperature, morphology and drug content. Ex vivo permeability of dexamethasone and bactericidal activity of tobramycin from formulation F2 was tested, and values were compared to the marketed Tobradex® eye ointment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No apparent changes in the physical appearance and consistency were observed when ricinoleic acid was used as the oil phase. The pH of the optimized ricinoleic acid PLO gel (formulation F2) was found to be 6.54 with a gelation temperature of 31 °C. The drug content of tobramycin and dexamethasone were found to be 102.8% and 100.14%, respectively. The penetration profile of dexamethasone from formulation F2 was found to be much higher than the marketed Tobradex® eye ointment. F2 showed a better antimicrobial activity and higher zones of inhibition when compared to the marketed Tobradex® eye ointment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this investigation indicate that the ricinoleic acid PLO gel has the potential for use as a transdermal eyelid delivery system.
authors: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo , Toledo, OH , USA.
authors: Sai H S
authors: SH
authors: Boddu
authors: Sindhu Prabha
authors: SP
authors: Bonam
authors: Rose
authors: R
authors: Jung
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004339:Drug Compounding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D065546:Drug Liberation; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005143:Eyelids; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D054709:Lecithins / Q000737:chemistry*; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012277:Ricinoleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005079:Excipients; D005782:Gels; D054709:Lecithins; D012277:Ricinoleic Acids; D020442:Poloxamer; D003907:Dexamethasone; C030521:ricinoleic acid; D014031:Tobramycin
keywords: Eyelids; Pluronic F127; lecithin; pluronic lecithin organogel; ricinoleic acid; transdermal