In vitro permeation through porcine buccal mucosa of Salvia sclarea L. essential oil from topical formulations

In the light of recent studies, which have shown that the essential oil derived from some Laminceae species has appreciable anti-inflammatory activity, moderate anti-microbial action and the ability to inhibit induced hyperalgesia, an assessment of the diffusion and permeation of Salvia sclarea L. essential oil through porcine buccal mucosa was considered useful for a possible application in the stomatological field. Topical formulations (microemulsions, hydrogels and microemulsion-hydrogels) were prepared for application to the buccal mucosa. The formulations contained different concentrations of the Salvia sclarea L. essential oil. The mucosa permeation of the oil from the formulations was evaluated using Franz cells, with porcine buccal mucosa as septum between the formulations (donor compartment) and the receptor phase chambers. The diffusion of the oil through the membrane was deter-mined by evaluating the amount essential oil components present iii the receiving solution, the flux and the permeation coefficient (at the steady state) in the different formulations at set intervals. Qualitative and quantitative determinations were effected by gas chromatographic analysis. All the formulations allow a high permeability coefficient in comparison with the pure essential oil. In particular the components with a terpenic structure have the highest capacity to pass through the porcine buccal mucosa when compared to the other components.