Antipsoriatic microemulsion gel formulations for topical drug delivery of babchi oil (Psoralea corylifolia).

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate a microemulsion gel-based system of babchi oil (Psoralea corylifolia) for the treatment of psoriasis, which could provide improved permeation of the drug through the skin and increased patient compliance. Babchi oil is used because its chief constituent psoralen is a photoactive furocoumarin that binds to DNA when exposed to UV light to form photoproducts with pyrimidine base. This action inhibits DNA synthesis and causes decrease in cell proliferation. Moreover, babchi oil, in addition to providing psoralen, also acts as an oily phase for microemulsion system. The presence of surfactant and cosurfactant increases the permeation. On the basis of qualitative and quantitative estimation of all eight brands of babchi oil, Bakuchi Tail was selected for microemulsion formulation. Microemulsions were prepared by aqueous phase-titration method. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed for the identification of microemulsion existence zones. Prepared microemulsions were subjected to different thermodynamic stability tests and characterized for droplet size, viscosity and refractive index. In vitro skin permeation of babchi oil through rat abdominal skin was determined by the Franz diffusion cell. The in vitro skin permeation profile of formulation F2, which consisted of 1.67% v/v of babchi oil, 8.33% v/v of oleic acid, S(mix) 55% v/v of Tween 80 Transcutol-P (S/Co ratio 1:1) and 35% v/v of distilled water, was significant when compared with other microemulsion formulations (p < 0.05). Formulation F2 was converted into microemulsion gel by adding 1% Carbopol-940 and coded as MGF2. Formulation MGF2 was selected for its in vivo antiinflammatory effects determined by footpad edema. The results suggested that microemulsion gel is a potential vehicle for improved topical delivery of psoralen and that microemulsion gels are potential vehicles for improved topical delivery of babchi oil.

• Authors: J Ali, N Akhtar, Y Sultana, S Baboota, A Ahuja
• Journal: Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology (Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol) Vol. 30 Issue 4 Pg. 277-85 (May 2008) ISSN: 0379-0355 [Print] Spain
• PMID: 18773122 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2008 Prous Science, S.A.U. or its licensors. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Acrylic Resins
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Emulsions
• Gels
• Plant Oils
• Surface-Active Agents
• carbopol 940
• DNA
• Ficusin

Topics

• Acrylic Resins (chemistry)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage, isolation & purification, pharmacokinetics)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• DNA (drug effects, metabolism)
• Drug Stability
• Emulsions
• Ficusin (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Gels
• Particle Size
• Patient Compliance
• Plant Oils (administration & dosage, isolation & purification, pharmacokinetics)
• Psoralea (chemistry)
• Psoriasis (drug therapy)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Skin Absorption
• Surface-Active Agents (chemistry)
• Thermodynamics
• Viscosity