title: Design and characterization of fenretinide containing organogels.
abstract: The stable, transparent, organogels, which are prepared by adding a minute amount of water to a solution of lecithin in biocompatible oil, are here studied as matrices for solubilization and percutaneous delivery of fenretinide (4 hydroxypropyl phenyl retinamide, 4HPR), a retinoic acid derivative. The influence of different types of oil, content of water and presence of hyaluronic acid was studied on gel properties. Rheology studies were carried out in order to detect the effect of these variables on gel viscosity. 4HPR diffusion from the different organogels was determined by in vitro Franz cell. It was found that diffusion coefficients (Jn) of 4HPR incorporated in organogels are about five fold lower than Jn of 4HPR in organic solution. Stability and shelf life stability studies demonstrate that 4HPR incorporated in organogels does not degrade and that organogels maintain 90% of 4HPR stability for periods up to 4 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, I-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, I-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Enea
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menegatti
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, I-44121 Ferrara, Italy. Electronic address: crt@unife.it.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cortesi
mesh_terms: D004058:Diffusion; D017313:Fenretinide / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D054709:Lecithins / Q000737:chemistry; D012212:Rheology; D012995:Solubility; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D054709:Lecithins; D014867:Water; D017313:Fenretinide; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid