Abstract: AIM: To compare the effect of azone and menthol by using the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as drug model, and explore the mix effect of the two transdermal enhancers. METHODS: The test acts on the self-made instrument. After the test, calculate the total amount of the drug which has permeate through the skin was calculated and the mixed effect of azone and menthol was estimated by multiple quantity method.RESULTS: Both azone and menthol of concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.00% and 2.00% had significant penetration promoting effect on 5-fluorouracil, which were significantly different from the control group (P<0.01). No synergistic effect was detected when evaluating the combined effect of the two drugs by multiple dose method. CONCLUSION: Both azone and menthol have promotion effect on 5-fluorouracil, but the combined use of the two drugs of same concentration show no synergistic effect.

Key words: azone, menthol, 5-fluorouracil, multiple quantity method, combined action, percutaneous absorption