Studies On Cucurbitacin B Gels

The aim of this study was to identify the possibility of a new route of cucurbitacin B (CuB) absorption---dermal and transdermal delivery. High pressure liquid chromatography was used to test the stability of CuB in fresh rat skin homogenate. The in vitro skin permeation studies through excised rat abdominal skin which had been pre-treated with a series of penetration enhancers were performed using two chambers of side-by-side diffusion cells. Oleic acid was found to be the most efficient excipient, increasing CuB transport significantly than others.In order to prepare formulations of CuB that can deliver the drug in effective concentration through skin, various hydrogel formulations were prepared using carbopol (980NF) which can contain high concentration absolute alcohol as base, oleic acid with varying amounts (0.5%,1%,2%,3%,5%) as permeation enhancer. The in vitro skin permeation studies showed that 1% oil acid in the hydrogel formulations exhibited a greater increase in the flux on comparison with the other amounts.The results of in vitro percutaneous penetration studies from this newly developed gel system contained high concentration ethanol through rat, guinea pig, rabbit and the pig skin revealed that the gel system has skin-enhancing potential and could be a promising matrix for the transdermal delivery of cucurbitacin B.Furthermore, higher permeation rates were observed both in rat and guinea pig when the enhancer was 1% OA.The prepared hydrogels showed a good appearance. Literatures studies were carried out to check the safety of permeation enhancers used. Further these formulations were found to be perfect with respect to percents of drug content, release characteristics, pH, transparency, feel and viscosity. To dates now, cucurbitacin B dermal and transdermal study was not reported.