Solubilization of Celecoxib in Microemulsions Based on Mixed Nonionic Surfactants and Peppermint Oil

U-type microemulsions formulated with water, mixed nonionic surfactants, and peppermint oil were used to solubilize celecoxib. Microemulsion dilution and interfacial factors contributing to the celecoxib solubilization were evaluated. Celecoxib solubilization capacity decreases with the increase in the water content. Electrical conductivity, dynamic viscosity, and SAXS measurements reveal the structural transition occurring in the microemulsion region. It was found that below 0.25 aqueous phase volume fraction the water-in-oil microemulsions are present, the transition between the water-in-oil to bicontinuous and then to oil-in water microemulsions occur at 0.30 and 0.8 aqueous phase volume fraction, respectively. The results demonstrate that the solubilized drug affects the transition from bicontinuous to water-in-oil microemulsions. The solubilized drug increases the hydrodynamic radius of the oil-in-water microemulsion droplets measured by dynamic light scattering.