Long-chain alkylamide-derived oil gels: mixing induced onset of thixotropy and application in sustained drug release

We showed that the gelation ability of commercially available long-chain alkylamides, behenamide (BAm) and erucamide (EAm) in various solvents for the first time. Furthermore, oil gels derived from mixtures of BAm and EAm exhibited thixotropic properties although the same property was absent in the oil gels prepared separately using each alkylamide. The thixotropic behaviour of a two-component mixed gel was evaluated using a rheometer quantitatively. We also found that the obtained two-component oil gel can be formulated for use as a vehicle for sustained drug release. The drug, antipyrine, in BAm/EAm (1/1, w/w) olive oil gel formulation was gradually released into water following Fickian diffusion kinetics.