Evaluation of promoting effects of several transdermal enhancers by factor and cluster analysis

The aim of this study is to investigate the application of factor and cluster analysis on evaluating the promoting effects of several transdermal enhancers. Diclofenac sodium was used as a model drug, while 1% menthol, 1% Blumea balsamifera oil and 1% borneol were used as transdermal enhancers. Transdermal absorption experiment of diclofenac sodium was detected on the device of penetrating skins of rat in vitro and steady state fluxes lag time, permeability coefficient and enhancement ratio were calculated to evaluate the promoting effects of transdermal enhancers with factor and cluster analysis. The penetration-enhancing efficiency on diclofenac sodium showed that 1% B. balsamifera oil + 1% borneol was the best and 1% menthol + 1% borneol came second. The worst group was 1% menthol + 1% B. balsamifera oil. This suggests that factor and cluster analysis could be used to objectively estimate the promoting effects of transdermal enhancers.