COW GHEE: AN ENHANCER OF PERCUTANEOUS ABSORPTION

Abstract

Ghee, clarified butter, is the natural animal fat obtained from milk. Use of cow ghee in India is as old as Indian culture. Cow ghee does not get spoiled for longer periods as it contains no water. Cow ghee is considered as an excellent base for the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. The ability of cow ghee to permeate into deeper tissues makes it as an ideal base for preparing Ayurvedic dosage forms. Our work is targeted to estimate the enhancement of percutaneous absorption by cow ghee using isolated goat skin as the animal membrane. Three drugs namely Salicylic acid, Diclofenac diethyl amine and Neomycin sulphate are used for the study. Salicylic acid is formulated as an ointment by replacing lipid base with cow ghee in different proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%). Salicylic acid ointment without cow ghee (0% cow ghee) is used as a reference for comparison. Similarly, diclofenac diethyl amine and neomycin sulphate are formulated as creams using cow ghee in different proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%). The fur on the goat skin was shaved and 3g of ointment/cream is applied on it. The other side of the skin is dipped in to the modified krebs buffer solution. Six such experimental setups are made for each drug i.e., one for each concentration of cow ghee (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%). The results obtained show the definite increase in rate of absorption and also definite decrease in absorption half life with increase in concentration of cow ghee for all the three drugs. From the results obtained it is clear that cow ghee enhances the percutaneous absorption of drugs. However, further studies like accelerated stability testing are needed to estimate the stability of the dosage form. Adding appropriate preservatives is needed to improve the stability of the preparation.