Albendazole is an anthelmintic agent with poor solubility and absorption. We developed a chewable tablet (200 mg drug equivalent), containing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS), with oral disintegrating properties. The emulsion was developed using sesame and soybean oils along with surfactant/co-surfactants, and the tablets were prepared by wet granulation using superdisintegrants and adsorbents. Infra-red (IR) spectral studies revealed no interaction between the drug and excipients, and all physical and chemical parameters were within acceptable limits. Stability studies for the formulation indicated no significant change over time. An in vitro release study indicated 100% drug release within 30 min, and in vivo plasma concentrations indicated that the area under the curve (AUC) of albendazole in rats administered SMEDDS chewable tablets was significantly higher than in those administered commercial tablets or powder (p-value < 0.05). The systemic bioavailability of albendazole achieved through the SMEDDS tablets was 1.3 times higher than that achieved by the administration of comparable quantities of albendazole commercial tablets. This was due to the higher dissolution of albendazole SMEDDS in the chewable tablets. We conclude that the SMEDDS chewable formulation can be used to improve the dissolution and systemic availability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Palm fruits (Elaeis guineensis) comprise antioxidants that can be used as skin care agents. This study developed a cosmeceutical cream containing E. guineensis extract, loaded with solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and assessed its efficacy on female volunteers. The E. guineensis extract exhibited a good antioxidant activity with high levels of vitamin E, β-carotene, and palmitic acid. Day and night creams containing E. guineensis fruit extract, loaded with SLNs, were formulated and exhibited acceptable physical characteristics and good stability. Subsequently, their clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated on female volunteers. Both creams were non-irritating and had good cutaneous compatibility. Skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin elasticity, melanin index, and skin texture were measured before and 30 min after the first application, as well as after 7, 14, and 30 days of daily application. A satisfactory survey was implemented using a questionnaire, and volunteer satisfaction scores were high for the product’s performance. Overall, the results showed that skin hydration, TEWL, cutaneous elasticity, and melanin index were improved, compared to the baseline data, after 30 days. Thus, the formulated facial day and night creams made the skin moist, reduced wrinkles, increased elasticity, and cleared the skin to the consumers’ satisfaction.

Glochidion wallichianum (GW) is a good source of antioxidants, including gallic acid, promoting its development as a microemulsion. We constructed five pseudo-ternary phase diagrams comprising isopropyl myristate (IPM), water, and surfactant mixture (Smix)—i.e., Labrasol^®:HCO-40^® (1:1) with Transcutol^® (1:1, 2:1, 3:1), and Tween80:Span80 (3:2) with Transcutol^® or propylene glycol:ethanol (1:1). Additionally, blank and GW extract-loaded microemulsions were prepared at an IPM:Water:Smix ratio of 10:30:60 (high water content) and 30:10:60 (high oil content) from each Smix. The physical characteristics, skin permeation, and disposition were evaluated. The formulations with high water content and conductivities provided higher gallic acid permeation and disposition than those with high oil content. The Smix of Labrasol^®:HCO-40^® (1:1) and Transcutol^® (1:1) promoted the highest gallic acid permeation (enhancement ratio 1.78 ± 0.12) and was suitable for transdermal delivery. However, the 1% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose control gel, the microemulsion with Smix of Labrasol^®:HCO-40^® (1:1) with Transcutol^® (2:1), and Smix of Tween80:Span80 (3:2) with propylene glycol:ethanol (1:1) could provide higher skin accumulation of gallic acid than that with other formulations. The microstructures, ratio of surfactant:cosurfactant, and compositions of microemulsions were found to affect the skin permeation and disposition of gallic acid and require optimization to act as transdermal or topical delivery carriers.