Pheroid is a patented system comprising of a unique submicron emulsion type
formulation. Pheroid vesicles consist mainly of plant and essential fatty acids and
can entrap, transport and deliver pharmacologically active compounds and other
useful molecules. The aim of this study was to show that a modulation of
components and parameters is necessary to obtain the optimum formula to be used
in pharmaceutical preparations.
Non-optimal or non-predictable stability properties of emulsions can be limiting for the
applications of emulsions (Bjerregaard et al., 2001:23). Careful consideration was
given to the apparatus used during the processing along with the ratios of the various
components added to the formulation and the storage conditions of the Pheroid
vesicles.
A preliminary study was performed to optimize the most accurate processing
parameters during emulsification. The effect of emulsification rate and time, the
temperature of the aqueous phase, the number of days the water phase were
gassed, the concentration of the surfactant, cremophor® RH 40, used and the
concentration of Vitamin F Ethyl Ester CLR added to the oil phase of the o/w
emulsion has been studied. Quantification of the mean particle size, zeta potential,
turbidity, pH and current values were used to characterize the emulsions. The
samples were characterised after 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of storage. The
emulsions were also characterised with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM)
to measure the number and size and size distribution of the vesicles.
After determination of the processing variables influencing the emulsion stability an
accelerated stability test was conducted on a final formula. In the present study,
accelerated stability testing employing elevated temperatures and relative humidity
were used with good accuracy to predict long-term stability of an o/w emulsion kept
at both 5 and 25 OC with 60 % relative humidity and 40 OC with 75 % relative
humidity. The results of the stability tests were presented in histograms of the
physical properties 24 hours, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after preparation of
the emulsion.
It was concluded that Pheroid vesicles demonstrate much potential as a drug delivery
system. The high stability of this formula allows its use in a wide variety of
applications in the pharmaceutical industry. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/1669 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Uys, Charlene Ethel |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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