Wesam R. Kadhum, Gerard Lee See, Muqdad Alhijjaj, Mustafa M. Kadhim, Florencio Jr. Arce, Ahmed S. Al-Janabi, Reyadh R. Al-Rashidi, Anees A. Khadom
The present study aimed to develop polyethylene glycol–liquid crystals (PEG-LC) ointment formulations, assess their formulation characteristics, and establish their biocompatibility and impact on transdermal drug administration. PEG-LC formulations were prepared using a hydrophilic molecule, p-aminobenzoic acid (PAB). Formulation characterizations such as small-angle X-ray scattering, viscosity, pH, zeta potential, and the particle sizes of the formulations were examined to determine the physicochemical properties of the prepared formulations. The drug release profile of PEG-LC ointment formulations was assessed with a dialysis membrane. In vitro skin permeation testing was performed to establish whether the PEG-LC formulations improved drug skin penetration. The MTT and comet assays were performed to assess the biocompatibility of the formulations. Our data showed that the method is effective in forming hexosome-type PEG-LC formulations and that they were biocompatible. Furthermore, the PEG-LC formulations significantly improved PAB skin penetration when compared with commercial PEG. The PEG-LC formulation is a promising carrier for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs. © 2022 by the authors.
Department of Pharmacy, Kut University College, Kut, 52001, Iraq; Pharmaceutical Research and Drug Development Laboratories, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Care Professions, University of San Carlos, Cebu, 6000, Philippines; Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Basrah, Basrah, 61004, Iraq; Department of Pharmacy, Al-Kunooze University College, Basrah, 61029, Iraq; Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, 10011, Iraq; Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Tikrit University, Tikrit, 34001, Iraq; Department of Dentistry, Kut University College, Kut, 52001, Iraq; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Diyala, Baquba, 32001, Iraq
