Dermal penetration enhancement by crude drugs: in vitro skin permeation of prednisolone enhanced by active constituents in cardamon seed.

Several extracts of crude drugs were prepared and tested as penetration enhancers for the diffusion of prednisolone through mouse skin in vitro. The acetone extract of cardamon seed (Eelettaria cardamomum) was selected for further study to identify the active principles. The result showed that terpineol and acetyl terpineol are the active components in cardamon seed.