چکیده (انگلیسی):

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the potential of the microemulsions to
improve the parenteral delivery of propofol. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were plotted to identify
microemulsification region of propofol. The propofol microemulsions were evaluated for globule size,
physical and chemical stability, osmolarity, in vitro hemolysis, pain caused by injection using rat paw-lick
test and in vivo anesthetic activity. The microemulsions exhibited globule size less than 25 nm and
demonstrated good physical and chemical stability. Propofol microemulsions were slightly hypertonic and
resulted in less than 1% hemolysis after 2 h of storage with human blood at 37 °C. Rat paw-lick test
indicated that propofol microemulsions were significantly less painful as compared to the marketed
propofol formulation. The anesthetic activity of the microemulsions was similar to the marketed propofol
formulation indicating that they do not compromise the pharmacological action of propofol. The stability
studies indicated that the microemulsions were stable for 3 months when stored at 5±3 °C. Thus,
microemulsions appeared to be an interesting alternative to the current propofol formulations.