W/O/W multiple emulsions with diclofenac sodium

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Colloid and Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsions offer potential for drug delivery due to their structure.
• The semipermeable oil phase in W/O/W emulsions can lead to drug leakage and instability.
• Production methods can influence encapsulation efficiency and drug carrier viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between inner water droplet size and production-induced encapsulation rate reduction in W/O/W emulsions.
• To assess the suitability of W/O/W multiple emulsions as drug carriers for diclofenac sodium.

Main Methods:

• Multiple emulsions were formulated using a central composite design.
• Production parameters, including pressure and temperature, were varied during the second emulsification step.
• Encapsulation rates of diclofenac sodium were measured in relation to inner water droplet size.

Main Results:

• Production parameters (pressure, temperature) influenced the size of oil droplets in W/O/W emulsions.
• Inner water droplet size, determined in the first step, directly affected the encapsulation rate of diclofenac sodium in the final W/O/W emulsion.
• Variations in inner water droplet size led to differing encapsulation efficiencies.

Conclusions:

• Inner water droplet size is a critical factor influencing the encapsulation rate in W/O/W multiple emulsions.
• The study highlights the importance of controlling production parameters to optimize drug encapsulation and carrier performance.
• W/O/W multiple emulsions demonstrate potential as drug carriers, but careful formulation and production are necessary.