Abstract

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most effective antineoplastic drug used for the treatment of actinic keratosis and nonmelanoma skin cancer. It shows poor percutaneous permeation through the conventionally available forms of solution and cream with shorter retention time is inefficient for the treatment of deep-seated skin cancer.
Objective: In the present study, emulgel containing 5-FU was investigated for the treatment of skin cancer.
Methods: Different formulations of emulgel were prepared using Tween-20, Span-20, liquid paraffin, different oils like clove oil and Mentha oil.
Result: The formulations were evaluated for parameters like optical microscopy, drug content, viscosities, bio adhesive strength, stability studies, in-vitro drug release, skin deposition and interaction study. Optimized formulations, F2 and F1 were selected in term of maximum drug release, drug entrapment values for higher studies. Mentha oil with 4%(F1) and 6% (F2 v/v showed excellent physicochemical properties such as viscosity (1300 and 1400 Cp), bio adhesive strength (4.3±0.13 and 5±0.21kg/cm2), invitro release (56.01 and 53.48 %). Stability study for one month puts a slight deterioration in drug content.
Conclusion: The result of the present study demonstrated that formulation of Mentha oil based 5-FU bio adhesive gel is a better alternative to the traditional cream base for enhanced topical delivery of 5-FU. The developed formulation will have the ease of application, better skin deposition and sustained release characteristic with reduced skin toxicity.

Keywords:5- Fluorouracil; Emulgel; Skin cancer; Carbopol 940; Clove oil; Mentha oil