Formulation of Mycophenolate Mofetil Emulgel for Topical Delivery and Evaluation of Its Percutaneous Absorption

Abstract

Introduction and background: Topical drug delivery is a simple and non-invasive rout of drug administration with low systematic side effects which is more suitable in skin target therapy. Skin is one of the most important tissues which may be affected in autoimmune diseases and Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent which can be effective in topical delivery. Goal: The aim of this study is to compare the percutaneous absorption of MMF emulgel and simple gel based formulations. Methods: First, series of emulsions with different ratios of aqueous and organic phases were prepared. Then, best formulation based on their physicochemical properties was selected. By adding Carbopol 934 as gelling agents to the water phase of selected formulation, the emulgel finally produced. Percutaneous absorption of the drug through the full thickness abdominal skin of rats was measured by Standard Franz Diffusion Cell technique and drug concentration in samples analyzed by HPLC equipped with UV-Vis detector at 250 nm. Results: The percutaneous absorption of the drug from emulgel formulation was higher than simple gel in first hour, especially in first 30 minutes (4.20 and 11.17 fold greater for first 60 and 30 minutes respectively). The flux of emulgel formulation was about 3 times higher than simple gel. The best formulation in terms of steady state flux and lag-time was emulgel based. Discussion and Conclusion: Emulgel improves percutaneous absorption of the drug in compare with simple gel. It can penetrate more amount of drugs in less time across the skin in compare with simple gel, thus it is more suitable formulations for topical drug delivery.