How to I create an transdermal absorbing mixture with peperine and a gel or alcohol?

Question

I have 500g of peperine (a derivative of pepper) and wish to create a topical application. I believe it may be alcohol soluble but I am not sure. If I suspend the fine peperine powder in an innert water based gel, will the peperine absorb through the skin? If I mix the peperine with pure alcohol will it destroy the peperine chemical stucture? Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

You may be able to find the solubility of peperine in Pharmacopeias (like the U.S. Pharmacopeia or the British Pharmacopeia):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stat...

http://www.pharmacopoeia.co.uk/

If you can't find these online, visit the nearest University or College which has a School of Pharmacy.

Alternatively, you may try your luck with chemistry handbooks (like the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics):

http://www.hbcpnetbase.com/

Since you posted this in "Medicine", I assume you are intending the final product for human use.  Make sure you cleared the plan with regulating agencies like the FDA first -- otherwise you can face serious problems if any of your clients decides to sue you over even something minor like skin irritation (which, as you know, can happen with the base vehicle alone).

Good luck.