Development and Characterization of Nanoemulgel Containing Piper betle Essential Oil as Active Ingredient

Abstract

This study aims to formulate and characterize a stable nanoemulgel containing Piper betle essential oil as the active ingredient for topical drug delivery. Nanoemulgel is a mixture of nanoemulsion and a gelling agent. Nanoemulsion was prepared by mixing the oil phase that containing soybean oil and Piper betle essential oil at different ratios, tween 80 as the surfactant and glycerol as the co-surfactant with the aqueous phase (distilled water). The essential oil of Piper betle was extracted by using a steam distillation method. The droplet size of nanoemulsion was in the range of 28 to 161 nm. The sizes were confirmed by dynamic light scattering method. Carbopol 940 was used as the gelling agent to increase the viscosity of the nanoemulsion and turn it into nanoemulgel. Nanoemulsion and nanoemulgel were characterised by using the Tyndall effect, spreadability test, and pH test. The pH of nanoemulgel with essential oil was in the range of 7 to 6, which is safe to be used on the skin. Nanoemulgel can be a suitable carrier for the active ingredient (essential oil) to be penetrated with ease into the skin because of its small droplets size. In conclusion, Piper betle nanoemulgel has shown great potential in helping the transdermal delivery.