Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Preparation and Evaluation of Microemulsion Systems Containing Salicylic Acid

  • Research Article
  • Published:
AAPS PharmSciTech Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Microemulsions (MEs) are clear, thermodynamically stable systems. They were used to solubilize drugs and to improve topical drug availability. Salicylic acid (SA) is a keratolytic agent used in topical products with antimicrobial actions. The objective of this work was to prepare and evaluate SA ME systems. Different concentrations of SA were incorporated in an ME base composed of isopropyl myristate, water, and Tween 80: propylene glycol in the ratio of 15:1. Three ME systems were prepared: S2%, S5%, and S10% which contain 2%, 5%, and 10% of SA, respectively. Evaluation by examination under cross-polarizing microscope, measuring of percent transmittance, pH measurement, determination of the specific gravity, assessment of rheological properties, and accelerated stability study were carried out. The data showed that the addition of SA markedly affected the physical properties of the base. All systems were not affected by accelerated stability tests. Stability study for 6 months under ambient conditions was carried out for S10%. No remarkable changes were recorded except a decrease in the viscosity value after 1 month. The results suggested that ME could be a suitable vehicle for topical application of different concentrations of SA.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Collier K, Matalonis S, Owen AJ. Evaluation of permeability enhancement by microemulsion in a caco-2 cell system. Proc Int Symp Control Release Bioact Mater. 1999;26:5444.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Alany RG, Rades T, Agatonovic-Kustrin S, Dvies NM, Tucker IG. Effects of alcohols and diols on the phase behaviour of quaternary systems. Int J Pharm. 2000;196:141–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Trotta M, Pattarino F, Grosa G. Formation of lecithin-based microemulsions containing n-alkanol phosphocholines. Int J Pharm. 1998;174:253–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Marti-Mestres G, Nielloud F. Emulsions in health care applications—an overview. J Dispers Sci Technol. 2002;23:419–39.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Osborne DW, Ward AJ, O’Neill KJ. Microemulsions as topical drug delivery vehicles: in-vitro transdermal studies of a model hydrophilic drug. J Pharm Pharmacol Comm. 1991;43:451–4.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Jachowicz J, Berthiaume MD. Microemulsions vs. macroemulsions in hair care products. Cosmet Toiletries. 1993;108:65–72.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Orth DS, Widjaja J, Ly L, Cao N, Shapiro WB. Stability and skin persistence of topical products: evaluating the effect of a hydroalcoholic hydroquinone vehicle. Cosmet Toiletries. 1998;113(10):51–63.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Reynolds JEF, editor. Martindale, the extra pharmacopoeia, 30th edition. London: The Pharmaceutical Press; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bashir SJ, Dreher F, Chew AL, Zhai H, Levin C, Stern R, et al. Cutaneous bioassay of salicylic acid as a keratolytic. Int J Pharm. 2005;292:187–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Leslie KS, Dootson G, Sterling JC. Topical salicylic acid gel as a treatment for molluscum contagiosum in Children. J Derm Treat. 2005;16:336–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Park WB, Kim SH, Cho JH, Bang JH, Kim HB, Kim NJ, et al. Effect of salicylic acid on invasion of human vascular endothelial cells by Staphylococcus aureus. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2007;49:56–61. doi:10.1111/j.1574-695X.2006.00170.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Kupferwasser LI, Yeaman MR, Nast CC, Kupferwasser D, Xiong YQ, Palma M, et al. Salicylic acid attenuates virulence in endovascular infections by targeting global regulatory pathways in Staphylococcus aureus. J Clin Invest. 2003;112(2):222–33. doi:10.1172/JC1200316876.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. British National Formulary, No. 26; 1993. p. 408–10.

  14. Draelos ZD. An evaluation of topical 3% salicylic acid and 1% hydrocortisone in the maintenance of scalp pruritus. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2005;4:193–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Lee HS, Kim IH. Salicylic acid peels for the treatment of acne vulgaris in Asian patients. Dermatol Surg. 2003;29:1196–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Pearl E, Grimes MD. The safety and efficacy of salicylic acid chemical peels in darker racial-ethnic groups. Dermatol Surg. 1999;25(1):18–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ahn HH, Kim IH. Whitening effect of salicylic acid peels in Asian patients. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32:372–5. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2006.32075.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Gladstone HB, Nguyen BA, Williams R, Ottomeyer T, Wortzman M, Jeffers M, et al. Efficacy of hydroquinone cream (USP 4%) used alone or in combination with salicylic acid peels in improving photodamage on the neck and upper chest. Dermatol Surg. 2000;26(4):333–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Dainichi T, Ueda S, Isoda M, Koga T, Kinukawa N, Nose Y, et al. Chemical peeling with salicylic acid in polyethylene glycol vehicle suppresses skin tumour development in hairless mice. Br J Dermatol. 2003;148:906–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Klimowicz A, Farfał S, Bielecka-Grzela S. Evaluation of skin penetration of topically applied drugs in humans by cutaneous microdialysis: acyclovir vs. salicylic acid. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2007;32:143–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Badawi AA, Nour SA, Sakran WS, El-Mancy SS. Formulation and evaluation of new emulsion systems as dosage forms. MD thesis submitted to faculty of pharmacy, Egypt: Cairo University; 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Malcolmson C, Lawrence M. Three-component non-ionic oil-in-water microemulsions using polyoxyethylene ether surfactants. Colloids Surf., B Biointerfaces. 1995;4:97–109.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Constantinides PP, Scalart JP, Lancaster C, Marcello J, Marks G, Ellens H, et al. Formulation and intestinal absorption enhancement evaluation of water-in-oil microemulsions incorporating medium-chain glycerides. Pharm Res. 1994;11(10):1385–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Constantinides PP, Welzel G, Ellens H, Smith PL, Sturgis S, Yiv SH, et al. Water-in-oil microemulsions containing medium-chain fatty acids/salts: formulation and intestinal absorption enhancement evaluation. Pharm Res. 1996;13(2):210–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Nour SA, Shalaby SH, Afify NN, Abd El-Aal S, Mekhael MK. Formulation and evaluation of econazole nitrate emulgels. J Drug Res Egypt. 2002;24(1–2):63–71.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Lucero MJ, Vigo J, Leon MJ. A study of shear and compression deformations on hydrophilic gels of tretinoin. Int J Pharm. 1994;106:125–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Brime B, Moreno MA, Frutos G, Ballesteros MA, Frutos P. Amphotericin B in oil-water lecithin-based microemulsions: formulation and toxicity evaluation. J Pharm Sci. 2002;91(4):1178–85.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kantaria S, Rees GD, Lawrence MJ. Gelatin-stabilized microemulsion-based organogels: rheology and application in iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery. J Control Release. 1999;60:355–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Baudonnet L, Grossiord J-L, Rodriguez F. Physicochemical characterization and in vitro release of salicylic acid from o/w emulsions prepared with Montanov 68®: effect of formulation parameters. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2004;30(11):975–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmaceutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Alia A. Badawi & Samia A. Nour

  2. Pharmaceutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, 6th of October, Egypt

    Wedad S. Sakran & Shereen Mohamed Sameh El-Mancy

Authors
  1. Alia A. Badawi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Samia A. Nour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wedad S. Sakran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shereen Mohamed Sameh El-Mancy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shereen Mohamed Sameh El-Mancy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Badawi, A.A., Nour, S.A., Sakran, W.S. et al. Preparation and Evaluation of Microemulsion Systems Containing Salicylic Acid. AAPS PharmSciTech 10, 1081–1084 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-009-9301-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-009-9301-7

Key words

Search

Navigation