Abstract
In vitro permeation of nabumetone across rat skin from nanoemulsions of soybean oil in 2.5% aqueous glycerol stabilized with a blend of lecithin and 1‐O‐alkylglycerol (C10, C12, C14, or C16 chain length) was studied. The mean droplet size of the emulsions was in the range of 214 to 280 nm. 1‐O‐Alkylglycerol stabilized emulsions showed significant enhancement in permeation of nabumetone. This enhancement is attributed to the interaction of 1‐O‐alkylglycerol with the skin lipids, fluidizing the lipid matrix and bringing about disordering effect. The extent of interaction appears to depend on chain length of 1‐O‐alkylglycerol. 1‐O‐Decylglycerol stabilized emulsion showed highest flux in the first four hours and did not exhibit any lag time. The other emulsions showed increase in lag time with increase in the chain length of 1‐O‐alkylglycerol. Control nabumetone solution exhibited highest overall flux, but it showed lower flux than nanoemulsions stabilized by 1‐O‐decylglycerol for the initial four hours and a significantly higher flux thereafter. This appears to be due to slow extraction of skin lipid by the solvent action of control solution and consequent permeabilization of the skin.