Penetration-Enhancing Effect of the Essential Oil and Methanolic Extract of Eryngium bungei on Percutaneous Absorption of Piroxicam through Rat Skin

Recently, in order to improve drug permeation through the skin, penetration enhancers have attracted a great deal of interest in increasing percutaneous absorption. Natural compounds like terpenes have been suggested as promising non-toxic, non-irritating transdermal penetration enhancers. This investigation aimed to study the effect of extract and essential oil of Eryngium bungei (as a traditional anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive) on the transdermal absorption of piroxicam. The stable gel was chosen and enhancing effects of plant extract and essential oil with different concentrations (0.5 - 3.0 and 0.25 - 5.0% w/w respectively) on the permeation of piroxicam were evaluated. The results showed that the greatest enhancement of the skin transport occurs at the highest concentration of the enhancer (P < 0.01). The most outstanding penetration enhancer was plant essential oil in 5% w/w, providing an almost 9.17-fold increase in permeability coefficient of piroxicam.