Water-Tween 40/Imwitor 308-isopropyl myristate microemulsions as delivery systems for ketoprofen: small-angle X-ray scattering study

Small-angle X-ray scattering technique has been used to study the structural properties of the quaternary microemulsion Tween 40/Imwitor 308/isopropyl myristate/water and of five-component system obtained by the addition of the drug ketoprofen to the original quaternary system. The results enlighten the structuration of the studied systems and represent new complementary findings to the previous study [Podlogar, F., Bester-Rogac, M., Gasperlin, M., 2005. The effect of internal structure of selected water-Tween 40 (R)-Imwitor 308 (R)-IPM microemulsions on ketoprofene release. Int. J. Pharm. 302, 68-77] on the correlation between the structuration of these systems and the release rates of the ketoprofen. The present results indicate that in the samples with the moderate to high concentration of water where the latter is a continuous phase the addition of smaller amounts of the ketoprofen does not change their inner structuration significantly. The quaternary sample containing 46.2wt.% of water seems to be very near the composition where the transition from the bicontinuous to the lamellar structure of the microemulsion occurs. In the samples containing from 46.2 to 62.7wt.% of water the swelling of lamellar phases with constant thickness of double-layer can be characterized. At approximately the latter composition another noticeable transition in the inner structuration of the microemulsion has been observed. Interestingly, all these changes in the inner structuration of the studied systems did not affect the trend of the drug release rates in this regime of water concentrations.     

In vitro release of diclofenac diethylamine from caprylocaproyl macrogolglycerides based microemulsions

The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of both formulation parameters and vehicle structure on in vitro release rate of amphiphilic drug diclofenac diethylamine (DDA) from microemulsion vehicles containing PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides (surfactant), polyglyceryl-6 dioleate (cosurfactant), isopropyl myristate and water. From the constructed pseudo-ternary phase diagram at surfactant-cosurfactant mass ratio (K(m) 1:1), the optimum oil-to-surfactant-cosurfactant mass ratio values (O/SC 0.67-1.64) for formulation of microemulsions with similar concentrations of hydrophilic, lipophilic and amphiphilic phases (balanced microemulsions) were found. The results of characterization experiments indicated bicontinuous or nonspherical water-continuous internal structure of the selected microemulsion vehicles. Low water/isopropyl myristate apparent partition coefficient for DDA as well as elevated electrical conductivity and apparent viscosity values for the investigated microemulsion formulations containing 1.16% (w/w) of DDA, suggested that the drug molecules was predominantly partitioned in the water phase and most likely selfaggregate and interact with interfacial film. Release of DDA from the selected water-continuous (W/O), oil-continuous (O/W) and balanced microemulsions was investigated using rotating paddle dissolution apparatus modified by addition of enhancer cell. A linear diffusion of DDA through regenerated cellulose membrane was observed for the W/O and O/W formulations with the low content of dispersed phase. Non-linearity of the drug release profile in the case of bicontinuous formulations was related to the more complex distribution of DDA including interactions between the drug and vehicle. The membrane flux value increases from 25.02 microgcm(-2)h(-1) (W/O microemulsion) to 117.94 microgcm(-2)h(-1) (O/W microemulsion) as the water phase concentration increases. Moreover, the obtained flux values for balanced microemulsions (29.38-63.70 microgcm(-2)h(-1)) suggested that bicontinuous microstructure hampers the release of the amphiphilic drug.     

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsions

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a hydrophilic derivative of ascorbic acid, which has improved stability arising from its chemical structure. It is used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations since it has many favorable effects in the skin, the most important being antioxidant action. In order to achieve this, it has to be converted into free ascorbic acid by enzymatic degradation in the skin. In the present work, o/w and w/o microemulsions composed of the same ingredients, were selected as carrier systems for topical delivery of sodium ascorbyl phosphate. We showed that sodium ascorbyl phosphate was stable in both types of microemulsion with no significant influence of its location in the carrier system. To obtain liquid microemulsions appropriate for topical application, their viscosity was increased by adding thickening agents. On the basis of rheological characterization, 4.00% (m/m) colloidal silica was chosen as a suitable thickening agent for w/o microemulsions and 0.50% (m/m) xanthan gum for the o/w type. The presence of thickening agent and the location of sodium ascorbyl phosphate in the microemulsion influenced the in vitro drug release profiles. When incorporated in the internal aqueous phase, sustained release profiles were observed. This study confirmed microemulsions as suitable carrier systems for topical application of sodium ascorbyl phosphate.     

应用电导率-含水量曲线法研究广东王不留行提取物为模型药物的O/W型微乳

目的:建立广东王不留行提取物为模型药物的O/W型微乳处方筛选及制备成型的一种方法。方法:选取文献及本实验室15个处方空白微乳建立电导率-含水量曲线,同时与目测法进行对比研究,选取其中4个稳定的微乳处方,分别建立以广东王不留行提取物为模型药物的O/W型微乳的电导率-含水量曲线,进行其方法学考察及微乳质量评价。结果:O/W型空白及含药微乳成型的临界点均是电导率-含水量曲线的顶点,进一步验证其值显著高于目测法测定的临界值,目测法所测定的O/W型微乳临界值在双连续区域内,通过电导率-含水量曲线确定的空白及含药O/W型微乳方法学实验RSD<1%,空白及含药微乳平均粒径均在10~100 nm之间。结论:电导率-含水量曲线法制备的O/W型微乳分布均匀、具备量化、准确、重复性好,应用于微乳处方筛选及制备工艺研究具有理论及实际可行性,能准确反应微乳的相行为及结构变化。     

Gelation of microemulsions and release behavior of sodium salicylate from gelled microemulsions

A novel gelled microemulsion was prepared in the presence of the low molecular weight gelator N-stearine-N′-stearyl-l-phenylalanine at a very low concentration. It is completely different from the conventional microemulsion-based gels (MBGs) usually formed by polymeric gelling agents, such as gelatin, agar and κ-carrageenan. The microemulsion consists of i-propyl myristate, Tween 80, propylene glycol and water. The gelled microemulsions showed good thermo-reversibility. The gel-to-sol transition temperature (T_GS) of gelled microemulsion depends upon the concentration of gelator and the composition of the microemulsions. The gelation mechanism was investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and FT-IR. POM images show elongated and strand-like crystallites formed by the aggregation of the gelator, ultimately resulting in the gelation of the microemulsion. FT-IR analysis indicates that intermolecular hydrogen bonds are responsible for the formation of gelator aggregates. Water-soluble sodium salicylate was used as a model drug for the investigation of the release from the gelled microemulsions. The release profiles exhibited a controlled release and followed the first-order release kinetics. The release rates decreased with an increase of the gelator and isopropyl myristate contents. These results reveal potential applications of gelled microemulsion in drug delivery systems.     

Formulation of ascorbic acid microemulsions with alkyl polyglycosides

Ascorbic acid microemulsions for topical application were developed. In this study, microemulsions were prepared using HLD (hydrophilic lipophilic deviation) concept to optimise the formulation. From this optimal formulation, the realisation of dilution ternary diagrams leads to obtain microemulsion zones. In addition, the effects of composition variable on the physicochemical characteristics of each system were investigated. After optimisation of the microemulsion systems, ascorbic acid was loaded in the formulations. Surface tension and small angle neutron scattering were used to characterise the surface properties and the structure of the microemulsions. Bicontinuous structure microemulsions were identified, and the influence of ascorbic acid localisation at the interface leading to modifications of the microemulsion structure was pointed out. The solubilisation of ascorbic acid, the stabilisation and in vitro transdermal penetration “Frantz cells” of ascorbic acid microemulsions were studied. Three different microemulsions were envisaged. The results confirmed that these microemulsion systems present a real interest for formulation and protection of ascorbic acid. Regarding their transcutaneous penetration behaviour, the different microemulsions studied could be useful for different topical applications. A major location of ascorbic acid found in the epidermis where the decomposition of melanin occurred indicates that microemulsion could be considered as a suitable carrier system for application of ascorbic acid as a whitening agent. In addition, a good passage of the drug in the dermis could be interesting for the relative oxygen matrix damage.     

Investigation of surfactant/cosurfactant synergism impact on ibuprofen solubilization capacity and drug release characteristics of nonionic microemulsions

The current study investigates the performances of the multicomponent mixtures of nonionic surfactants regarding the microemulsion stabilisation, drug solubilization and in vitro drug release kinetic. The primary surfactant was PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides (Labrasol). The cosurfactants were commercially available mixtures of octoxynol-12 and polysorbate 20 without or with the addition of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil (Solubilisant gamma 2421 and Solubilisant gamma 2429, respectively). The oil phase of microemulsions was isopropyl myristate. Phase behaviour study of the pseudo-ternary systems Labrasol/cosurfactant/oil/water at surfactant-to-cosurfactant weight ratios (K(m)) 40:60, 50:50 and 60:40, revealed a strong synergism in the investigated tensides mixtures for stabilisation of microemulsions containing up to 80% (w/w) of water phase at surfactant +cosurfactant-to-oil weight ratio (SCoS/O) 90:10. Solubilization of a model drug ibuprofen in concentration common for topical application (5%, w/w) was achieved at the water contents below 50% (w/w). Drug free and ibuprofen-loaded microemulsions M1-M6, containing 45% (w/w) of water phase, were prepared and characterized by polarized light microscopy, conductivity, pH, rheological and droplet size measurements. In vitro ibuprofen release kinetics from the microemulsions was investigated using paddle-over-enhancer cell method and compared with the commercial 5% (w/w) ibuprofen hydrogel product (Deep Relief, Mentholatum Company Ltd., USA). The investigated microemulsions were isotropic, low viscous Bingham-type liquids with the pH value (4.70-6.61) suitable for topical application. The different efficiency of the tensides mixtures for microemulsion stabilisation was observed, depending on the cosurfactant type and K(m) value. Solubilisant gamma 2429 as well as higher K(m) (i.e., lower relative content of the cosurfactant) provided higher surfactant/cosurfactant synergism. The drug molecules were predominantly solubilized within the interface film. The amount of drug released from the formulations M3 (10.75%, w/w) and M6 (13.45%, w/w) (K(m) 60:40) was limited in comparison with the reference (22.22%, w/w) and follows the Higuchi model. Microemulsions M2 and M5 (K(m) 50:50) gave zero order drug release pattern and ～15% (w/w) ibuprofen released. The release profiles from microemulsions M1 and M4 (K(m) 40:60) did not fit well with the models used for analysis, although the amounts of ibuprofen released (24.47%, w/w) and 17.99% (w/w), respectively) were comparable to that of the reference hydrogel. The drug release mechanism was related with the surfactant/cosurfactant synergism, thus the lower efficiency of the tensides corresponded to the faster drug release.     

Preparation and evaluation of ibuprofen-loaded microemulsion for improvement of oral bioavailability

The purpose of the current study was to improve the solubility of ibuprofen, a poorly water-soluble drug, in a microemulsion system that is suitable for oral administration. Microemulsion was prepared using different sorts of oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were used to evaluate the microemulsion domain. The formulations were characterized by solubility of the drug in the vehicle, droplet size, and drug release. The optimal formulation consists of 17% Labrafil M 1944CS, 28% Cremophor RH40/Transcutol P (3:1, w/w), and 55% water, with a maximum solubility of ibuprofen up to 60.3?mg/ml. The mean droplet size of microemulsion was 57?nm. The pharmacokinetic study of microemulsion was performed in rats and compared with granule formulation. The microemulsion has significantly increased the C(max) and area under the curve (AUC) compared to that of the granule (p?相似文献   

Aerosol OT microemulsions as carriers for transdermal delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic local anesthetics

The skin permeation enhancement of many kinds of drugs and cosmetic substances by microemulsions has been widely known; however, the correlations between microemulsion microstructures and the efficiency of skin permeation are not fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the influence of microemulsion types on in vitro skin permeation of model hydrophobic drugs and their hydrophilic salts. The microemulsion systems were composed of isopropyl palmitate (IPP), water, a 2:1 w/w mixture of Aerosol OT (AOT) and 1-butanol, and a model drug. The concentrations of surfactant mixture and model drug were maintained at 45% and 1% w/w, respectively. The concentrations of IPP and water were 15% and 39% w/w, respectively, for oil-in-water (o/w) type and vice versa for water-in-oil (w/o) type. The samples were prepared by simple mixing and characterized by visual appearance, pH, refractive index, electrical conductivity, viscosity, and determination of the state of water and IPP in the formulations using differential scanning calorimetry. Transdermal flux of lidocaine, tetracaine, dibucaine, and their respective hydrochloride salts from the drug-loaded AOT-based microemulsions through heat-separated human epidermis was investigated in vitro using modified Franz diffusion cells. The o/w microemulsions resulted in the highest fluxes of the model drugs in base form as compared with the other formulations within the same group of drugs. Moreover, the skin permeation of drug from microemulsions depended on drug molecular structure and interaction between drug and surfactant.     

Water/oil type microemulsion systems containing lidocaine hydrochloride: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a water/oil microemulsion containing lidocaine hydrochloride (4%) and to compare its local anaesthetic efficacy with commercial products. A pseudoternary diagram (K_m:1/1 or 1/2) was constructed using lecithin/ethanol/oil/water. The droplet size, viscosity and release of the microemulsions were evaluated. Tail flick tests were conducted for in vivo effectiveness; the initiation time of effect, maximum effect, time to reach maximum effect, and relative efficacy were evaluated. The drug caused a significant increase in droplet size. The use of olive oil resulted in a decrease in the solubilisation parameter, as well as a reduction in the release. The droplet size and viscosity of the microemulsion composed of Miglyol/lecithin/ethanol/water/drug (K_m:1/2) was lower than other microemulsions (8.38?nm, 6.9 mPa), and its release rate (1.61?mg/h) was higher. This system had a faster and more efficient anaesthetic effect than the other microemulsions and commercial products. Results indicate that a water/oil type microemulsion (Miglyol/lecithin/ethanol/water) has promising potential to increase the local anaesthetic effect.     

Preparation of griseofulvin nanoparticles from water-dilutable microemulsions

Nanoparticles of griseofulvin, a model drug with poor solubility and low bioavailability, were prepared from water dilutable microemulsions by the solvent diffusion technique. Solvent-in-water microemulsion formulations containing water, butyl lactate, lecithin, taurodeoxycholate sodium salt (TDC) or dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (KG), 1,2-propanediol or ethanol were used. The formation of macroscopically homogeneous, stable, fluid, optically transparent, isotropic solutions (microemulsions) was investigated by constructing pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. In the presence of TDC or KG, microemulsion systems that remained transparent on water dilution could be obtained. The displacement of butyl lactate, with an excess of water, from the internal phase of the microemulsions containing the drug into the external phase, lead to successful fabrication of drug nanosuspensions. Nanoparticle size was dependent on microemulsion composition: using KG, griseofulvin nanoparticles below 100 nm with low polydispersity and an increased dissolution rate were obtained.     

Preparation and evaluation of ibuprofen-loaded microemulsion for improvement of oral bioavailability

The purpose of the current study was to improve the solubility of ibuprofen, a poorly water-soluble drug, in a microemulsion system that is suitable for oral administration. Microemulsion was prepared using different sorts of oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were used to evaluate the microemulsion domain. The formulations were characterized by solubility of the drug in the vehicle, droplet size, and drug release. The optimal formulation consists of 17% Labrafil M 1944CS, 28% Cremophor RH40/Transcutol P (3:1, w/w), and 55% water, with a maximum solubility of ibuprofen up to 60.3?mg/ml. The mean droplet size of microemulsion was 57?nm. The pharmacokinetic study of microemulsion was performed in rats and compared with granule formulation. The microemulsion has significantly increased the C_max and area under the curve (AUC) compared to that of the granule (p?<?0.05). The relative bioavailability of ibuprofen in microemulsions was 1.9-fold higher than that of the granule. These results indicated that this novel microemulsion is a useful formulation for enhancing the oral bioavailability of ibuprofen.     

Structural characterisation of water-Tween 40/Imwitor 308-isopropyl myristate microemulsions using different experimental methods

Pharmaceutically usable microemulsion systems were prepared from water and isopropyl myristate with a constant amount of Tween 40 and Imwitor 308 at a mass ratio of 1. Their type and structure were examined by measuring density and surface tension, and by viscometry, electric conductivity, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and the degree of agreement between the techniques was assessed. A model based on monodisperse hard spheres adequately fits the SAXS data in W/O microemulsions predicting, depending on composition, elongated or spherical droplets. It also suggests the involvement of strong attractive interactions in O/W systems. Results of conductivity, viscosity, density and surface tension measurements confirm the prediction of a percolation transition to a bicontinuous structure. DSC detects the degree of water interaction with surfactants thus identifying the type of microemulsion. The conclusions from all the techniques agree well and indicate that such studies could also be carried out on more complex systems. In future, the ability to determine type and structure of such microemulsion systems could enable partitioning and release rates of drugs from microemulsions to be predicted.     

Preparation and evaluation of flurbiprofen-loaded microemulsion for parenteral delivery.

The purpose of this study was to improve the solubility of flurbiprofen, a poorly water-soluble drug, in an oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsion that is suitable for parenteral administration. Microemulsions with varying ratios of oil to surfactant were prepared with ethyl oleate, Tween 20 and isotonic solution. The effect of formulation variables on the particle size of microemulsion and solubility of flurbiprofen in microemulsion system was investigated. The pharmacokinetic parameters of flurbiprofen after intravenous administration of flurbiprofen-loaded microemulsion were compared with those of a solution of the drug. The mean droplet diameter of microemulsion containing less than 1% (w/w) of flurbiprofen was below 100 nm. The maximum solubility of flurbiprofen in the microemulsion system was found to be 10 mg/ml. However, the mean droplet diameters of flurbiprofen-loaded o/w microemulsions tend to be increased at room temperature. The pharmacokinetic parameters of flurbiprofen after intravenous administration of flurbiprofen-loaded microemulsion to rats were not significantly different from those of flurbiprofen in phosphate-buffered saline solution. It can be concluded that microemulsions of flurbiprofen prepared with ethyl oleate and Tween 20 can be used as a parenteral drug carrier for this and other poorly water-soluble drugs, provided that physical stability can be properly addressed. Copyright     

脂溶性药物在O/W型微乳中的分配行为

以亮菌甲素和氧氟沙星为模型药物，采用荧光光谱法考察微乳中各组分对药物荧光光谱的影响，以研究脂溶性小分子药物在O/W型微乳中的分配行为。结果显示在分别采用苯甲醇和PEG 400为助表面活性剂的微乳体系中，亮菌甲素主要存在于表面活性剂组成的界面膜中；氧氟沙星在油酸/橄榄油(1∶1)的微乳体系中的主要分布部位为油核，而在Gradamol GTCC为油相的微乳体系中主要存在于界面膜中；在各体系中药物均倾向于增溶在对药物溶解能力最强的组分所处的微环境中，具体的存在位置与该组分的用量有关。由此可见脂溶性药物在O/W型微乳中的存在部位可能取决于各组分对药物的溶解能力。     

Amphotericin B in oil-water lecithin-based microemulsions: formulation and toxicity evaluation

A novel lecithin-based microemulsion containing AmB was developed to reduce the toxic effects of the drug, comparing it with the commercial formulation Fungizone. Phase diagrams containing the microemulsion region were constructed for pseudoternary systems composed of isopropil myristate (IPM)/Brij((R)) 96V/lecithin/water. The incorporation of AmB to the microemulsions was done following the Phase Inversion Temperature (PIT) method or by diluting the drug in the aqueous phase of the disperse system before forming the microemulsion. The percentage of drug entrapped in the microemulsion was analyzed by an HPLC method obtaining recoveries > 98%. Mean droplet size of the microemulsions chosen for the acute toxicity evaluation was of 45 nm, and the rheological studies showed that those microemulsions mentioned followed a Newtonian behavior. Different studies are described in this work to prove the stability of these new dosage forms. Acute toxicity results, determined by a graphic method, the probit binary model and the Reed and Muench method showed that lethal dose 50 (LD(50)) for AmB microemulsions was of 2.9 mgkg(-1) compared to 1.4 mgkg(-1) for the commercial deoxycholate suspension, Fungizone. The overall results indicate that treatment with AmB microemulsions was less toxic than Fungizone, suggesting a potential therapeutic application.     

Cremophor RH40-PEG 400 microemulsions as transdermal drug delivery carrier for ketoprofen

The aim of this study was to prepare novel microemulsion for transdermal drug delivery of ketoprofen (KP). The microemulsion composed of ketoprofen as model drug, isopropyl myristate (IPM) as oil phase, surfactant mixture consisting of polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor RH40) as surfactant and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) as co-surfactant at the ratio 1:1, and water were prepared. The viscosity, droplet size, pH, conductivity of microemulsions, and skin permeation of KP through shed snake skin were evaluated. The particle size, pH, viscosity and conductivity of microemulsions were in the range of 114-210 nm, 6.3-6.8, 124-799 cPs and 1-45 μS/cm, respectively. The ratio of IPM, and surfactant mixture played the important role in the skin permeation of KP microemulsions. As the amount of surfactant mixture and IPM increased, the skin permeation of KP decreased. The formulation composed of 30% IPM, 45% surfactant mixture and 25% water showed the highest skin permeation flux. The incorporation of terpenes in the 2.5% KP microemulsions resulted in significant enhancement in skin permeation of KP. The rank order of enhancement ratio for skin permeation enhancement of terpenes was α-pinene > limonene > menthone. The results suggested that the novel microemulsion system containing IPM, water, Cremophor RH40:PEG400 and terpenes can be applied for using as a transdermal drug delivery carrier.     

Characterization of caprylocaproyl macrogolglycerides based microemulsion drug delivery vehicles for an amphiphilic drug

Microemulsion systems composed of water, isopropyl myristate, PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides (Labrasol), and polyglyceryl-6 dioleate (Plurol Oleique), were investigated as potential drug delivery vehicles for an amphiphilic model drug (diclofenac diethylamine). Pseudo-ternary phase diagram of the investigated system, at constant surfactant/cosurfactant mass ratio (Km 4:1) was constructed at room temperature by titration, and the oil-to-surfactant/cosurfactant mass ratios (O/SC) that exhibit the maximum in the solubilization of water were found. This allowed the investigation of the continuous structural inversion from water-in-oil to oil-in-water microemulsions on dilution with water phase. Furthermore, electrical conductivity (sigma) of the system at Km 1:4, and O/SC 0.250 was studied, and the percolation phenomenon was observed. Conductivity and apparent viscosity (eta') measurement results well described colloidal microstructure of the selected formulations, including gradual changes during their formation. Moreover, sigma, eta', and pH values of six selected microemulsion vehicles which differ in water phase volume fraction (phi(w)) at the selected Km and O/SC values, were measured. In order to investigate the influence of the amphiphilic drug on the vehicle microstructures, each system was formulated with 1.16% (w/w) diclofenac diethylamine. Electrical conductivity, and eta' of the investigated systems were strongly affected by drug incorporation. The obtained results suggest that diclofenac diethylamine interacts with the specific microstructure of the investigated vehicles, and that the different drug release kinetics from these microemulsions may be expected. The investigated microemulsions should be very interesting as new drug carrier systems for dermal application of diclofenac diethylamine.     

卵磷脂微乳的制备与理化性质考察

目的：对25℃各卵磷脂系统中微乳的形成区域以及微乳理化性质随系统中各组分的变化情况进行研究。方法：卵磷脂作表面活性剂,短链醇类作助表面活性剂,采用不同油相考察相图中油包水型微乳形成区域的变化;选择不同处方组分的微乳测定微乳理化性质。结果：各个系统均可形成油包水型微乳,室温下放置数月未见分层。卵磷脂/醇质量比(K_m)与水相量对微乳的粘度有显著影响;电导率随着水相含量增加而增大;微乳的粒径随着体系中水相的增加而增大。结论：K_m较大,水相含量适中的微乳体系较为适合制备药物载体。     

Characterisation of microemulsions containing orange oil with water and propylene glycol as hydrophilic components

The current study aims to investigate the effect of incorporation of orange oil, mainly consisting of the cyclic mono-terpene linolene, a known skin penetration enhancer, as oil component on microemulsion formation both in water and propylene glycol containing systems. Phase diagrams of pseudoternary mixtures containing orange oil, ethyloleate or a 1:1 mixture (w/w) of orange oil and ethyloleate as oil components, a 6:4 (w/w) mixture of polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate and sorbitan monolaurate as surfactant components and water or propylene glycol as hydrophilic components were investigated. Smaller microemulsion regions were observed when orange oil was used as a substitute for ethyloleate in both water and propylene glycol containing systems. Polarising light microscopy, viscosity measurements, electrical conductivity measurements and cryo-field emission scanning electron microscopy were used to identify structural features of the microemulsions. Solution-type, w/o droplet-type microemulsions and microemulsion areas containing liquid crystals were found in varying areas in the phase diagrams of water containing systems. Liquid crystals formation occurs when the water concentration reaches 20%-22.5% (w/w). Only solution-type microemulsions were observed in propylene glycol containing systems. The dimension of solution-type microemulsion areas in the phase diagrams is likely to depend on the miscibility of components and larger microemulsion areas were found when ethyloleate was used instead of orange oil and propylene glycol was used instead of water. W/o droplet-type microemulsions of systems containing orange oil and ethyloleate as oil components appear in different areas of the phase diagrams. Incorporation of orange oil as a penetration enhancer into a topical microemulsion affects its physical characteristics. This in turn may lead to instability of the microemulsion and/or can influence the release patterns of drugs from these microemulsions when applied as topical formulations.