Effect of the matrices and penetration enhancers in elemene transdermal drug delivery system

The objective of this study is to develop an elemene transdermal drug delivery system by choosing suitable drug-loaded matrices and permeation enhancers and to observe their effects in this system. The in vitro transdermal release profiles were determined by Franz diffusion cells. The content of elemene in the collected samples was determined by gas chromatograph. Polyvinyl alcohol and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose were chosen as drug-loaded matrices. The optimal amount of polyvinyl alcohol and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in matrices was 30% (w/w). It was found that azone was the best one among several penetration enhancers, compared with oleinic acid, eucalyptus oil and laurinol. Moreover, using azone together with propylene glycol, the permeation effect of elemene was even better. The appropriate ratio between azone and propylene glycol was 1:1. Moreover, 2% azone and 2% propylene glycol together as permeation enhancers achieved the best permeation effect for the elemene transdermal drug delivery system. The solution containing 20% saline, 50% ethanol and 30% PEG-400 was a good receiving media for beta-elemene in Franz diffusion cells. The amount of polyvinyl alcohol and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in the matrices had obvious effects on the penetration ability of elemene. Types and concentration of the penetration enhancers had effect on the permeability of elemene through skin.