jotcsa

Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section A: Chemistry

2149-0120

Turkish Chemical Society

10.18596/jotcsa.1787016

Nanochemistry

Nanokimya

Systematic Screening of Oil, Surfactant, and Cosurfactant for Ibuprofen Nanoemulsion

https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5669-4141

Widiastuti

Rina

Gadjah Mada

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4277-5413

Nugroho

Akhmad Kharis

Faculty of Pharmacy Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7291-6497

Martien

Ronny

Gadjah Mada

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4969-5128

Lukitaningsih

Endang

Gadjah Mada

04 30 2026

0 2026-1 1 12 09 19 2025 04 12 2026

2014

Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section A: Chemistry

Ibuprofen, a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), provides effective symptomatic relief; however, its oral administration is often associated with systemic side effects. Topical delivery via nanoemulsion systems offers a promising strategy to enhance local bioavailability while minimizing systemic exposure. This study aimed to systematically screen and identify optimal oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant components for ibuprofen nanoemulsion formulations. Ibuprofen solubility was assessed in various oils, followed by screening surfactants and cosurfactants based on emulsification efficiency, drug-loading capacity, and compatibility. Nanoemulsions were prepared using high-energy sonication methods and characterized for droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), drug loading, and physical stability over 30 days. Capryol 90 exhibited the highest solubility for ibuprofen (103.01 ± 0.53 mg/mL), while Kolliphor RH 40 produced nanoemulsions with the smallest droplet size (109.7 ± 56.9 nm) and lowest PDI (0.214 ± 0.02). Transcutol P enabled the highest drug loading (280 mg/mL) and supported formulation stability. Ultrasonic bath sonication resulted in smaller, more uniform droplets than homogenizer sonication, and the optimized nanoemulsion maintained its droplet size and PDI throughout 30 days of storage. These results provide a preliminary basis for excipient selection in ibuprofen nanoemulsion development and suggest the potential for developing a stable topical delivery.

Ibuprofen Topical delivery Excipient screening High-energy emulsification nanoemulsion

This research was supported by The Center for Higher Education Funding and Assessment (PPAPT) Ministry of Higher Educa-tion, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, and The Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), which funded a Doctoral scholarship awarded to one of us (Rina Widiastuti).

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