Effects of l-menthol and its binary systems on the percutaneous penetration and the deposit effect of 5-fluorouracil

AIM: To study the effects of l-menthol and its binary systems on percutaneous penetration and deposit effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). METHODS: Percutaneous absorption experiment was performed on the apparatus of isolated skin, penetrated amounts of different times of 5-FU were determined, the cumulate penetrated amounts and permeation rates and increased permeation times were calculated, and the deposit effect of 5-FU was investigated. RESULTS: L-menthol of different concentrations could significantly enhance the percutaneous penetration of 5-FU, its increased permeation times were 1.25 and 1.45 and 1.37 times respectively,and the action of 5-FU with 2% l-menthol was the strongest. 5-FU with 2% and 4% l-menthol had a marked deposit effect. When some kinds of enhancers were used alone or combined with l-menthol, the percutaneous penetration of 5-FU had a significantly increase. CONCLUSION: L-menthol and its binary systems can markedly promote the percutaneous penetration and the deposit effect of 5-FU.