Application of Microemulsions in Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery

Abstract

Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable colloidal dispersions of water and oil stabilized by a surfactant and, in many cases, also a cosurfactant. In the pharmaceutical field, microemulsions have been used as drug carriers for percutaneous, ocular, oral and parenteral administration. This review discusses some of the applications of microemulsions specifically for topical and transdermal applications. Microemulsion nomenclature and composition, with particular emphasis on choice of surfactant and cosurfactant, is discussed. Methods used to characterize microemulsions are reviewed. Microemulsion formulations for dermal and transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical agents with particular emphasis on anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic agents are critically evaluated. Finally, the issues which warrant further investigation by researchers in order to realize the full potential of the technology are discussed.

Applications of Polidocanol in Varicose Vein Treatment Assisted by Exposure to Nd:YAG Laser Radiation

“…There are many works providing good results about the use of POL foam sclerotherapy (Alos et al, 2006;Cabrera et al, 2000;Cavezzi and Frullini, 1999;Frullini, 2000;Gachet, 2001;Garcia-Mingo, 1999;Hsu and Weiss, 2003;Ouvry et al, 2008;Rabe et al, 2008;Redondo and Cabrera, 2005;Santos, 2008;Tessari, 2000). The ability to be agitated and foamed increases the potency of detergents from 2 to 4 times by mechanically displacing blood and thus maximizing surface area and time in contact with endothelium.…”

“…Although the main approach in the treatment of small diameter veins, in venulectasias and reticular veins of less than 4 mm in diameter (class I/II and III) is sclerotherapy (Alos et al, 2006;Nijsten et. al., 2009;Parsi et al, 2007;Railan et al, 2006), lasers, especially the Nd:YAG laser, have shown interesting and non-negligible capabilities in treating these cases (Redondo and Cabrera, 2005;Santos et al, 2008;Trelles et al, 2005). Clinical experimental results prove that the exposure of the tissues impregnated with POL to laser radiation emitted at 1.06 m improves the efficiency of the treatment (Moreno Moraga, n.d.).…”

Preparation and evaluation of microemulsion-based transdermal delivery of total flavone of rhizoma arisaematis

“…[4][5][6][7] It has been reported that ME may enhance transdermal drug delivery by improving drug solubility, thereby increasing the molecular concentration gradient, as well as by altering the SC structure. 8,9 In the current study, an ME vehicle of total flavone of RA (TFRA) was formulated, with the aim of improving its transdermal delivery.…”

Advanced Trends in Treatment of Wounds

“…Increasing thermodynamic activity and the presence of (co-)surfactants enhance penetration and improve the occlusive nature. This improves skin penetration to variable degrees 65 . Kitagawa 66 reported that genistein containing microemulsion could prevent UV irradiation-induced erythema formation.…”