Poloxamer emulsion preparations

A microemulsion composition suitable-for topical or mucosal applications, comprising:

• (a) an aqueous component;
• (b) a non-ionic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide;
• (c) a tea tree oil present in an amount of about 3% to 15% by weight of the microemulsion;
• and
• (d) a hydrophilic fatty acid emulsifier with a polyethoxylated side chain;
• wherein (i) the composition is prepared as a liquid, (ii) the composition is thermoreversible, (iii) the composition gelatinises upon contact with dermal or mucosal tissue, (iv) the composition possesses bioadhesive or mucoadhesive properties v) the microemulsion composition comprises an amount by weight of said non-ionic block copolymer of 10% to 50% by weight, and (vi) the nonionic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is poloxamer 407.

A topical or mucosal microemulsion composition suitable for pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, comprising:

• (a) an aqueous component;
• (b) a non-ionic block thermoreversible copolymer of ethylene oxide and a propylene oxide present in an amount of about 10 to 50% by weight of the microemulsion;
• (c) a hydrophilic fatty acid emulsifier with a polyethoxylated side chain present in an amount of about 0.5 to 50% by weight of the microemulsion;
• and
• (d) a tea tree oil present in an amount of about 3 to 15% by weight of the microemulsion;
• wherein:
• (i) the tea tree oil is present in an effective amount to impart a pharmaceutical or a cosmetic effect to the composition, (ii) the microemulsion is thermoreversible and gelatinises or viscosifies upon contact with dermal, ophthalmic or mucosal tissue to develop bioadhesive or mucoadhesive properties and (iii) the non-ionic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is poloxamer 407.

A topical or mucosal microemulsion composition for pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, comprising:

• (a) an aqueous component;
• (b) a non-ionic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide present in an amount of 10.5% to 35% by weight of the microemulsion;
• (c) a hydrophilic fatty acid emulsifier with a polyethoxylated side chain present in an amount of about 0.5 to 50% by weight of the microemulsion;
• and
• (d) a tea tree oil present in an amount of about 3 to 15% by weight of the microemulsion;
• wherein the microemulsion is prepared by the steps of:
• (i) mixing the copolymer with an aqueous solution to dissolve the copolymer in the aqueous solution;
• (ii) mixing the hydrophilic fatty acid emulsifier with a polyethoxylated side chain with the tea tree oil at a temperature from 15° C. to 40° C. to form an oil mixture;
• and
• (iii) mixing the copolymer solution prepared in step (i) with the mixture prepared in step (ii) at a temperature from 15° C. to 40° C. to form a microemulsion;
• wherein (1) the tea tree oil is present in an effective amount to impart a pharmaceutical or cosmetic effect of the composition, (2) the microemulsion is thermoreversible and gelatinises or viscosifies upon contact with dermal, ophthalmic or mucosal tissue to develop bioadhesive or mucoadhesive properties and (3) the non-ionic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is poloxamer 407.