Formulation and Evaluation of Naproxen Gel Containing Tulsi Oil as Penetration Enhancer

The present research has been undertaken with the aim to develop a transdermal gel formulation of naproxen, which would attenuate the gastrointestinal related toxicities associated with oral administration. The potential gastrointestinal disorders associated with oral administration of naproxen (NSAID’s) can be avoided by delivering the drug to the inflammation site. Gel based formulations are better percutaneously absorbed than creams and ointment bases. It is reported that absorption profile of naproxen from carbopol gel base is better than other bases. Therefore, naproxen gel formulations were made with carbopol 940 having different concentration of tulsi oil as penetration enhancer containing 2 % of naproxen. Permeation experiments were performed on excised abdominal rat skin using Keshary Chien diffusion cell. The fixed oil of tulsi (ocimum sanctum) is reported to possess significant anti inflammatory activity. Naproxen gels containing various concentration of tulsi oil (1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 %) were prepared. To assess the efficacy of formulations in-vitro release, rheological properties, drug content and skin irritation studies were performed. The results obtained were encouraging and formulation containing naproxen (2 %) and tulsi oil (5 %) found to be better than other formulations.