Pluronic lecithin organogel with d-limonene as a transdermal delivery system for Kaempferia parviflora extract

Abstract

Kaempferia parviflora (KP) extract has been used in the Thai medicinal plant recipe, which the methoxyflavones are the main active compound. These compounds have low water solubility, high lipophilicity, and low bioavailability. The aim of this study was to develop the pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) and PLO with d-limonene (PLO-L) for enhancing transdermal delivery of KP extract. These formulations were prepared and their physicochemical properties, stability, and in vitro skin permeation were evaluated. For the result, all formulations exhibited good physicochemical properties and stable under storage condition for 3 months. The permeation of KP extract-loaded PLO-L and PLO formulation showed significantly higher total methoxyflavones permeated through the skin than KP extract in water, which PLO-L provided the highest permeated flux of total methoxyflavones. This result suggested that d-limonene play a role as skin permeation enhancer. Organogel consisting of poloxamer 407 and lecithin also increased the skin permeation of KP extract. In conclusion, PLO-L could be a potential transdermal delivery system for KP extract.