RESUMEN
In this study, different topical formulations using oleaginous, emulsion and water soluble bases containing 1% [w/w] captopril were prepared by the fusion method. The penetration behavior of captopril from these preparations was studied through excised rabbit skin. The influence of the base type as well as some of the volatile oils on the mechanism and transdermal delivery characteristics of the drug was investigated. At the end of experiments, the percentages of the drug transported were 89.66, 83.18 and 63.87 from emulsion, oleaginous and water soluble bases, respectively. The addition of volatile oils to the oleaginous base delayed the transport of the drug in the following order of magnitude: Thymol < menthol < methyl salicylate < cinnamaldhyde < camphor. This inhibition was significant in case of alcoholic [menthol] and phenolic [thymol] monoterpenes, whereas other oils exhibited no significant effect