The objective of this study was to prepare acceptable carbopol gels and to evaluate
the factors influencing the spreadability and release properties of a model hydrophilic
compound (caffeine). Results were analyzed statistically using student t-tes
t. The gels
were transparent at 1 and at 2% caffeine (with alcohol). Spreadability was decreased when
carbopol was increased and when caffeine quantity was changed (except at 2% carbopol).
Spreadability was affected statistically with change of cosolvent. Released caffeine
quantity (%) was increased with decreasing of carbopol quantity and increasing of caffeine
quantity introduced in the formula. Total caffeine quantity (%) was decreased with alcohol
presence. Caffeine release followed Higuchi pattern, e.g. diffusion was the principal
mechanism of caffeine release from these formulas.
