Topical delivery of celecoxib using microemulsion.

The topical delivery of celecoxib has been studied using microemulsion as the vehicle for the treatment of UV B induced skin cancer. Pseudotemary phase diagrams were constructed at different oil to cosurfactant ratios to identify the formulation variables for microemulsion formation, and the effect of these variables on skin permeation of celecoxib was evaluated with excised rat skin. Topical anti-inflammatory effect of celecoxib has been assessed using the arachidonic acid induced ear oedema model. Formulation E consisting of 3% celecoxib, 22% propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate + caprylic/capric mono-/di-glycerides (2:1), 30% polysorbate 80 and water (all w/w) showed higher permeation rate and significant anti-inflammatory activity. The studied microemulsion formulations have a prospect for use as a potential vehicle for treatment of UV B induced skin cancer.