Optimization of Gel Cream Containing HAMIN™ and HPMC K100M as Bases for Topical Delivery of Diclofenac Sodium

Lina Winarti (1) , Amirah Mohd Gazzali (2) , Fania Mufti Mufidah (3) , Fahrauk Faramayuda (4) , Evi Umayah Ulfa (5) , Dwi Nurahmanto (6) , Muhammad Hilmi Afthoni (7) , Liza Pratiwi (8) , Bambang Wijianto (9)
(1) Universitas Jember , Indonesia
(2) Universiti Sains Malaysia , Malaysia
(3) Universitas Jember , Indonesia
(4) Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani , Indonesia
(5) Universitas Jember , Indonesia
(6) Universitas Jember , Indonesia
(7) Universitas Jember , Indonesia
(8) Universitas Tanjungpura , Indonesia
(9) Universitas Tanjungpura , Indonesia

Abstract

Diclofenac sodium, a widely used NSAID, has limited skin permeability, which reduces its topical efficacy; therefore, a gel-cream formulation combining the rapid absorption of gels with the emollient properties of creams is proposed to enhance drug penetration and patient comfort. To further improve delivery, HAMIN™, a novel natural palm oil–based base with excellent biocompatibility and lipid-enhancing properties, will be combined with HPMC K100M. This thickener stabilises viscosity and prolongs skin contact time, supporting better absorption. This study aimed to develop and optimise a topical gel cream for diclofenac sodium using HAMIN™ and HPMC K100M to achieve ideal physical properties and improved skin penetration. The formulation was statistically optimised using a Simplex Lattice Design (SLD), with HAMIN™ (X1) and HPMC K100M (X2) as independent variables, and pH (Y1), spreadability (Y2), viscosity (Y3), extrudability (Y4), release flux (Y5), and permeation flux (Y6) as dependent responses. Optimisation with Design Expert version 13 yielded the ideal composition of 16.84% HAMIN™ and 1.16% HPMC K100M, resulting in predicted values of pH 5.07, spreadability 7 cm, viscosity 4502.25 mPas, extrudability 78.98 N/s, release flux 70.61 µg/cm2/minute, and permeation flux 0.4868 µg/cm2/minute, with a desirability score of 0.829. Despite a slightly lower release flux, the optimised HAMIN™ and HPMC K100M-based gel cream demonstrated superior skin permeation compared to a commercial emulgel for up to 300 minutes. The incorporation of HAMIN™, a natural palm oil base, offers a novel and effective strategy to enhance the topical delivery of diclofenac sodium via a statistically optimised gel cream formulation.

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Authors

Lina Winarti
lina.winarti@unej.ac.id (Primary Contact)
Amirah Mohd Gazzali
Fania Mufti Mufidah
Fahrauk Faramayuda
Evi Umayah Ulfa
Dwi Nurahmanto
Muhammad Hilmi Afthoni
Liza Pratiwi
Bambang Wijianto
Author Biographies

Lina Winarti, Universitas Jember

Department of Pharmaceutics, Universitas Jember, Jember, East Java, Indonesia

Amirah Mohd Gazzali, Universiti Sains Malaysia

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Georgetown, Pulau Penang, Malaysia

Fania Mufti Mufidah, Universitas Jember

Department of Pharmaceutics, Universitas Jember, Jember, East Java, Indonesia

Fahrauk Faramayuda, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani

Department of Biological Pharmacy, Universitas Jenderal Ahmad Yani, Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia

Evi Umayah Ulfa, Universitas Jember

Department of Biological Pharmacy, Universitas Jember, Jember, East Java, Indonesia

Dwi Nurahmanto, Universitas Jember

Department of Pharmaceutics, Universitas Jember, Jember, East Java, Indonesia

Muhammad Hilmi Afthoni, Universitas Jember

Department of Clinical Community, Universitas Jember, Jember, East Java, Indonesia

Liza Pratiwi, Universitas Tanjungpura

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Universitas Tanjungpura, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Bambang Wijianto, Universitas Tanjungpura

Department of Chemistry, Universitas Tanjungpura, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

1.
Winarti L, Gazzali AM, Mufidah FM, Faramayuda F, Ulfa EU, Nurahmanto D, Afthoni MH, Pratiwi L, Wijianto B. Optimization of Gel Cream Containing HAMIN™ and HPMC K100M as Bases for Topical Delivery of Diclofenac Sodium. Borneo J Pharm [Internet]. 2026Mar.30 [cited 2026Jun.14];9(1):35-47. Available from: https://journal.umpr.ac.id/index.php/bjop/article/view/10417

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