Preliminary Analysis of Emulsion-Based Formulations Containing Pumpkin Seed Oil and Hemp Seed Oil for Internal Use

With a long tradition in pharmaceutical design, emulsions are functional formulations that can maintain their adaptive power connected with the new formulation requirements. Hence, this study proposed preliminary assays concerning the obtaining of natural emulsions for oral administration, incorporating pumpkin seed oil and hemp seed oil as oil phases, with lecithin as emulsifying agent. Using emulsification method, O/W and W/O emulsions were prepared and characterized from a stability point of view considering organoleptic parameters, conductivity properties followed by an extensive superficial analysis by fitting two different goniometric approaches like contact angle and pendant drop models. The emulsions obtained were stable, homogeneous, their properties being reflected by composition. Conductivity values confirmed the type of emulsions, completing their profile. Superficial analysis revealed that lecithin can sustain a proper stability due to a variation of surface tension values around 25 mN/m. The mean contact angle values ranging between 31.87±0.51° and 44.01±5.48° defined an adequate wettability, being correlated with the internal structure. To conclude, this preliminary study offered important data concerning the stability of some emulsions for oral delivery, accessing natural biocompatible components. On this way, it can be created multifunctional systems with nutritional value, but also special vehicles designed for drug delivery.