Evaluation of in vitro percutaneous enhancement effect of papain and pequi oil on diclofenac sodium permeation through human skin

the purpose of this research was to determine the potential of papain and pequi oil as penetration enhancers for diclofenac sodium (ds) across human skin in vitro. the permeation studies were conducted with vertical diffusion cells. the enhancers were associated or not in gels in different concentrations. in vitro studies reveled that papain 0.2% (w/v) presented an elevated enhancer property for diclofenac sodium (j = 0.3369 mg/cm2x h). pequi oil 10% (w/v) generated a reduced flux value (j = 0.1848 mg/cm2x h) and a combination of both enhancers presented a medium value of j = 0.2187 mg/cm2x h. papain was found to be better enhancer than pequi oil.