Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder, characterized by the inflammation of the pilosebaceous glands. In addition to physical disfigurement, acne vulgaris may be responsible for significant emotional and physiological distress. Many medications involve in prevention and treatment of acne. Benzoyl peroxide could be a potent candidate with special formulation to treat acne. Objectives: Benzoyl peroxide foamable emulsion was prepared with the aim of improving the permeation of benzoyl peroxide into skin, reducing skin irritation, and increasing consumer compliance towards treatment of acne by using emu oil as an excellent transdermal carrier. Materials and Methods: The formulations were prepared by using different selected emulsifiers, foam stabilizers, and emu oil owing to their emollient with skin sebum compatible properties towards acne treatment. Results: Micronized benzoyl peroxide with an average particle size of 4.56 ± 0.61 μm was prepared by using solvent evaporation method and dispersed in foamable emulsion. The most stable foamable emulsion (containing 2% emu oil, 2.5% cocamidopropyl betaine, 10% coconut fatty acid diethanolamine (Lauramid), 1% glycerin mono stearate (GMS), and water up to 100%, according to organoleptic appearance was selected and evaluated by various pharmaceutical parameters such as pH, stability to centrifugal stress, freeze-thaw, drug content, and foam stability. Permeation studies were performed in vitro to check the drug permeation through cellulose acetate membrane by diffusion cell with ethanol 70% as the receptor medium at sink condition. In vitro drug release study of the formulation exhibited a controlled drug release for a period of 4.5 hours at sink condition. Conclusions: According to release exponent n > 1, diffusion mechanism is super case П. The prepared micronized benzoyl peroxide in foamable formulation was stable according to different pharmaceutical evaluation. The emu oil incorporated in this formulation could reduce drawback of BPO (Benzoyl peroxide). This formulation could be a good candidate in acne treatment.