To make an organic transdermal base with Pluronic Lecithin Organogel (PLO) for both hydrophobic (Part A) and hydrophilic (Part B) phases, you will need to carefully follow a formula for each phase. Here’s a simple guide on how to prepare each part:
Part A: Hydrophobic Transdermal Base
Ingredients:
Pluronic F127 (Poloxamer 407) – This will be the primary agent for gel formation in the base.
Lecithin – A phospholipid that acts as an emulsifier and helps in drug penetration through the skin.
Organic oil (e.g., olive oil, coconut oil, or MCT oil) – Used to solvate lipophilic compounds.
Active Ingredient (Optional) – If you’re adding any active ingredients, like CBD or other compounds, you can mix them with the oil phase for transdermal delivery.
Procedure:
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Prepare Lecithin Solution: In a clean beaker, combine lecithin and oil. Heat the mixture gently in a water bath (around 40-50°C) until lecithin is fully dissolved in the oil.
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Incorporate Pluronic F127: Gradually add Pluronic F127 to the lecithin-oil mixture. Stir continuously until it fully disperses. This step requires patience since Pluronic F127 can take time to hydrate. You’ll notice a gel-like consistency forming.
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Cool the Gel: Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. The gel should thicken as it cools. If needed, adjust the viscosity by adding more Pluronic or lecithin, depending on your desired consistency.
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Active Ingredient: If you are adding a lipophilic active ingredient, add it now and mix thoroughly.
Part B: Hydrophilic Transdermal Base
Ingredients:
Pluronic F68 (Poloxamer 188) – This is another variant of Pluronic, used for the hydrophilic phase.
Lecithin – Similar to the hydrophobic phase, lecithin is essential to enhance skin permeability.
Water – Distilled or deionized water for the hydrophilic phase.
Active Ingredient (Optional) – As with Part A, you can include any active ingredient intended for transdermal delivery.
Procedure:
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Prepare Lecithin Solution: Dissolve the lecithin in water using gentle heating, just as you did in Part A.
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Incorporate Pluronic F68: Slowly add Pluronic F68 to the water-lecithin mixture, stirring continuously. This will create a more water-soluble gel.
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Cool to Room Temperature: Let it cool until it reaches a gel-like consistency. The Pluronic F68 will thicken as it cools.
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Active Ingredient (Optional): If needed, add any water-soluble active ingredients now.
Final Combination (Optional, if making a complete transdermal system):
Once you have prepared both Part A (Hydrophobic) and Part B (Hydrophilic), you may combine them depending on the purpose of your formulation. Sometimes, a combination of both parts creates a dual-phase system that enhances transdermal penetration for various types of active ingredients.
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Mixing the Phases: You can mix both parts gradually. Start by adding small amounts of Part B to Part A, and blend until you achieve a uniform consistency.
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Testing: It is important to test the final formulation for texture, spreadability, and skin penetration. If necessary, adjust the proportion of Pluronic or lecithin to fine-tune the formulation.
Safety Notes:
Always make sure to use the correct grade of Pluronic and lecithin suitable for transdermal applications.
Ensure cleanliness and proper sterilization when preparing the base to avoid contamination.
You may also need to perform stability and compatibility testing, especially if adding active ingredients to ensure they remain effective and stable.
If you’re adding any specific active ingredient to the formulation, ensure it’s compatible with the PLO base and is appropriate for transdermal use.
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