Effect of gelling agent and penetration enhancer on the release rate of ibuprofen-PEG 6000 solid dispersion from gel preparations

Abstract

Introduction: Ibuprofen is a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug which shows low bioavailability. For gel preparations it is important to increase the release rate of ibuprofen by using solid dispersion systems. Objective: To obtain the optimum release rate of ibuprofen-PEG 6000 solid dispersion from gel, by optimising the gelling agent and the penetrating enhancers. Method: Determination of gelling agent was carried out by comparing the ibuprofen release flux. The gel formulation with the best release flux will be used in the determination of penetrating enhancer to obtain the optimum release flux, by using a two-factor factorial design. Result: HPMC showed the highest release flux (339.5 g/cm2min). The results showed an increase in the release flux (489.4 g/cm2min) in the optimum formula with 39.9% propylene glycol and 3.3% isopropyl myristate. Conclusion: The increase in the ibuprofen solid dispersion release flux has been carried out using HPMC, and propylene glycol-isopropyl myristate as a penetrating enhancer.