Effect of propylene glycol on diclofenac permeation from compounded preparations: an in vitro Strat-M® membrane study

Authors

  • FILIP DUGONIK
  • URŠKA JERŠIČ
  • LEJLA KAČ
  • LIDIJA GRADIŠNIK
  • TANJA ZIDARIČ
  • TINA MAVER

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18690/analipazuhd.12.1-2.%25p.2026

Keywords:

diclofenac sodium, in vitro permeation, Strat-M® membrane, propylene glycol, compounded preparations

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of propylene glycol as a permeation enhancer on the permeation of diclofenac sodium from two compounded formulations through a Strat-M® synthetic membrane under in vitro conditions. Two Pentravan®-based formulations were investigated: one without enhancer and one containing 24% (w/w) propylene glycol. Permeation was assessed using Franz diffusion cells and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The formulation containing propylene glycol showed higher diclofenac concentrations, greater cumulative permeation, and a higher fraction of permeated drug. Differences became more pronounced over time. The results confirm that propylene glycol enhances diclofenac permeation and highlight the importance of rational formulation design in topical preparations.

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Author Biographies

  • FILIP DUGONIK

    University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Maribor, Slovenia. e-mail: filip.dugonik@student.um.si

  • URŠKA JERŠIČ

    University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Maribor, Slovenia. e-mail: urska.jersic@student.um.si.

  • LEJLA KAČ

    University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Maribor, Slovenia. e-mail: lejla.kac@student.um.si.

  • LIDIJA GRADIŠNIK

    University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Maribor, Slovenia. e-mail: lidija.gradisnik@um.si.

  • TANJA ZIDARIČ

    University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Maribor, Slovenia. e-mail: tanja.zidaric@um.si.

  • TINA MAVER

    University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Maribor, Slovenia and University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Maribor, Slovenia. e-mail: tina.maver@um.si

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Published

14.08.2026

How to Cite

DUGONIK, F., JERŠIČ, U., KAČ, L., GRADIŠNIK, L., ZIDARIČ, T., & MAVER, T. (2026). Effect of propylene glycol on diclofenac permeation from compounded preparations: an in vitro Strat-M® membrane study. Anali PAZU HD, 12(1-2), 133-151. https://doi.org/10.18690/analipazuhd.12.1-2.%p.2026