{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]],"date-time":"2026-04-22T15:17:55Z","timestamp":1776871075578,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,7]],"date-time":"2023-08-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1691366400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Gels"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation can vary from localised pain like pain in the shoulders and neck to widespread pain like fibromyalgia, and as per estimates, around 90% of humans have experienced such pain. Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed for such conditions but are associated with concerns like gastric irritation and bleeding. In the present study, a microemulsion-based gel comprising \u03b2-caryophyllene, isopropyl myristate, Tween 80, and normal saline was prepared as a topical option for managing topical pain and inflammation. The globules of the microemulsion were below 100 nm with a zetapotential of around \u221210 mV. The drug entrapment was &gt;87% with a drug loading of &gt;23%. The permeation studies established better skin permeation (20.11 \u00b1 0.96 \u03bcg cm\u22122 h\u22121) and retention of the drug (4.96 \u00b1 0.02%) from the developed system vis-\u00e0-vis the conventional product (9.73 \u00b1 0.35 \u03bcg cm\u22122 h\u22121; 1.03 \u00b1 0.01%). The dermatokinetic studies established the better pharmacokinetic profile of the bioactive in the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. The anti-inflammatory potential in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema was more pronounced than the conventional product (~91% vis-\u00e0-vis ~77%), indicating a better pharmacodynamic outcome from the developed system. The nanotechnology-based natural bioactive product with improved efficacy and drug loading can provide a better alternative for the management of musculoskeletal pain.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/gels9080634","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,7]],"date-time":"2023-08-07T06:38:48Z","timestamp":1691390328000},"page":"634","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["\u03b2-Caryophyllene-Loaded Microemulsion-Based Topical Hydrogel: A Promising Carrier to Enhance the Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Outcomes"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"9","author":[{"given":"Sitah","family":"Alharthi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Al-Dawadmi Campus, Al-Dawadmi 11961, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Zyta Maria","family":"Ziora","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QL 4072, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Gulam","family":"Mustafa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Al-Dawadmi Campus, Al-Dawadmi 11961, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Pramila","family":"Chaubey","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Al-Dawadmi Campus, Al-Dawadmi 11961, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Ahmed Farag","family":"El Kirdasy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sadat City University, Sadat City 32897, Egypt"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Ghallab","family":"Alotaibi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Al-Dawadmi Campus, Al-Dawadmi 11961, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,7]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1007\/s13205-014-0214-0","article-title":"Nanoemulsion: An Advanced Mode of Drug Delivery System","volume":"5","author":"Jaiswal","year":"2014","journal-title":"3 Biotech"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"190","DOI":"10.3109\/02652048.2010.546435","article-title":"Novel Dithranol Phospholipid Microemulsion for Topical Application: Development, Characterization and Percutaneous Absorption Studies","volume":"28","author":"Raza","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. 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