BUCCAL PERMEABILITY ENHANCEMENT OF DIDANOSINE USING ALOE VERA GEL: HISTOLOGICAL AND MICROSCOPICAL EVALUATIONS

摘要

The epithelium of the buccal mucosa acts as a barrier to the permeation of drugs for buccal delivery. The permeability of drugs such as anti-retroviral Didanosine (ddl) can be improved by the use of penetration enhancers; thus effective and safe enhancers need to be identified. Aloe Vera gel (AVGel) has been reported as a potential intestinall and skin enhancer; however data on its buccal permeability potential has yet to be reported. This study aimed to determine the buccal permeability enhancement properties of AVGel, and to evaluate its histomorphological effects on the mucosal tissue.