The influence of the eutectic mixtures: salicylic acid - menthol and benzocaine - menthol on physical properties of the creams with fluconazole

Sep 27, 2026

Fluconazole is used to treat superficial skin mycoses, while menthol, salicylic acid, and benzocaine are common topical ingredients that can form eutectic mixtures when combined. This study prepared antifungal creams containing fluconazole with either menthol–salicylic acid or menthol–benzocaine eutectic mixtures and compared their physical properties. Creams were assessed for spreadability, slip, tenacity, and rheological behavior. Results showed improved physical properties, pseudoplastic flow at 32°C, correlations with composition, and thixotropic characteristics for all formulations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Chemicals

Apparatus

Preparations

Preparing of the hydrophilic creams

| | | | | --- | --- | --- | | 2013 􀂔 Curr. Issues Pharm. Med. Sci. Vol. 26, No. 4, Pages 457–460
Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences
Formerly ANNALES UNIVERSITATIS MARIAE CURIE-SKLODOWSKA, SECTIO DDD, PHARMACIA
[on-line: www.umlub.pl/pharmacy](on-line: www.umlub.pl/pharmacy) | | | | | | | The influence of the eutectic mixtures: salicylic acid – menthol and benzocaine – menthol on physical properties of the creams with fluconazole MARIA ZUŃ*, KATARZYNA WOJCIECHOWSKA, DOROTA DWORNICKA, EWA POLESZAK Chair and Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Poland ABSTRACT Fluconazole is used in treatment of the surface mycoses ofthe skin. Menthol, salicylic acid and benzocaine are the components of many preparations for topical use. When mixed they form the eutectic mixtures. The purpose of our research was to prepare the antifungal creams with fluconazole containing eutectic mixture: menthol-salicylic acid or menthol-benzocaine and to compare and estimate the influence of these mixtures on physical properties of these preparations. At the beginning, the creams were subjected to physical tests such as spreadability, slip and tenacity. Further, the rheological properties were evaluated. The fluconazole creams with eutectic mixtures had better physical properties. The rheological studies, based on Ostwald de Waele model, showed the pseudoplastic character of flowing at 32􀁱 C and the correlation between the rheological parameters and the composition of the creams. Moreover, all the preparations had thixotropic properties. Keywords: fluconazole, eutectic mixture, rheology INTRODUCTION Fluconazole, as the synthetic antifungal derivative of the triazole, is used in treatment of the surface mycoses of the skin such as: tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea faciei, tinea mannum and tinea pedis [2,15] . The fungicidal activity is the inhibiting of 14􀁄 – demethylase that is responsible for the synthesis of ergosterole – the compound required for the synthesis of cell wall [4] . Menthol, a monocyclic monoterpene, is the main component of mint and peppermint of Labiate plants and has a long application history in traditional medicine. Compared with other synthetics, menthol has lower toxic side effects and higher safety [11] . Menthol is also approved as a penetration enhancer in the transdermal transport of several drugs [12] . Salicylic acid is pharmaceutical active substance for topical use. It inhibits the secretion of sebaceous and sweat glands. At low concentration it has keratoplastic and in high doses keratolytic effect. Salicylic acid has a weak antimicrobial activity. Corresponding author * Chair and Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland [e-mail: maria.zun@umlub.pl](e-mail: maria.zun@umlub.pl) DOI: 10.12923/j.2084-980X/26.4/a.24 Benzocaine is a local anesthetic commonly used asa topical pain reliever. It is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter anesthetic ointments. Benzocaine inhibits the voltage-dependent sodium channels on the nerve membrane, stopping the propagation of the action potential. Separately, menthol, salicylic acid and benzocaine, are solid bases. When mixed, in certain quantities by weight, however, they form an eutectic mixture (that is the melting point of the mixture is lower than the melting points of the individual components) . The eutectic mixture is the oil, thus can be formulated into preparations without the use of a non-aqueous solvent. This allows higher concentrations of ingredients to be formulated into the preparation and maintained during application. The examples of such mixtures are EMLA – eutectic mixture of equal quantities by weight of lidocaine and prilocaine and ICY RUB GEL – the mixture of benzocaine, menthol and thymol [9,14, 16] . The influence of eutectic mixture camphor – menthol on physical properties of hydrogels with ibuprofen have been studied

FAQs

What was the goal of the study on fluconazole creams?

To prepare antifungal creams containing fluconazole with eutectic mixtures (menthol–salicylic acid or menthol–benzocaine) and to compare how these mixtures affect the creams’ physical properties.

Which physical and rheological tests were used?

The creams were tested for spreadability, slip, and tenacity, followed by evaluation of rheological properties, including analysis using the Ostwald de Waele model.

What rheological behavior and flow character were observed?

Fluconazole creams with eutectic mixtures showed pseudoplastic flow at 32°C, with rheological parameters correlated to cream composition, and all preparations exhibited thixotropic properties.

Sep 27, 2026

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