Studies on the use of fractions from palm oil and palm kernel oil as suppository base materials.

In vitro studies were made of fractions from palm oil and cocoa butter substitute derived from palm kernel oil as suppository base materials. The dissolution of Sulphatizol and salicylic acid from suppositories made with fractions from palm oil and palm kernel oil was investigaged and compared with their dissiolution from suppositories made of cocoa gbutter and Witepsol, the two commonly used base materials. It was observed that the dissolution rates of Sulphatizol and salicylic acid from cocoa butter substitute and from a mixture on non-lauric cocoa butter substitute and hydrogenated palm kernel oil were faster than that of the same drugs from cocoa butter and Witepsol. The dissolution rates were increased by t he addition of 1% (w/w) Tween 80 to cocoa butter substitute. On storage, the dissolution rate of 1% Sulphatizol from cocoa butter substitute decreased, while that of salicylic acid remained constant.