Novel Drug Delivery System for Dermal Uptake of Etofenamate: Semisolid SLN Dispersion

Background: Semisolid SLNs are novel strategy for dermal drug administration instead of incorporating the SLN dispersions into conventional semisolids. Etofenamate loaded semisolid SLNs were successfully prepared and in vitro characterization of formulations were performed in our previous study. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the dermal behavior of the semisolid SLNs selected on the basis of previous research and investigate the properties in terms of the convenience for topical applications. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the skin penetration characteristics of semisolid SLN formulations. The occlusive and mechanical properties of semisolid SLNs were also evaluated because of their impression on the dermal behavior of the formulations. Method: The occlusive properties were investigated by in vitro occlusion test. Texture analysis was performed to define the hardness, compressibility, adhesiveness, cohesiveness and elasticity of the formulations. Rat skin was chosen to evaluate the ex vivo penetration of etofenamate loaded semisolid SLNs and commercial gel product. Coumarin-6 was used to visualize the dermal distribution of the semisolid SLN formulations. For monitorizing the penetration of coumarin-6 into the skin samples Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy was employed. Results: The occlusive and mechanical properties of C1 coded semisolid SLN formulation were found more favorable in comparison with P1. The cumulative etofenamate amount in skin samples was found to be 39.88 ± 1.50 μg/cm2 for C1 and 30.56 ± 2.10 μg/cm2 for P1 coded formulations. According to CLSM images, greater fluorescence intensities and deeper skin penetrations were obtained with both of the semisolid SLNs in comparison to plain Carbopol gel. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the semisolid SLNs are promising alternative dermal drug delivery systems to the conventional dosage forms. Keywords: Dermal uptake, etofenamate, occlusive effect, semisolid SLN dispersion, texture profile analysis, skin penetration.