Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the promoting effects of several transdermal enhancers with principle components analysis method.METHODS: Using 5-fluorouracil(5-Fu)as model drug,the promoting effects of caryophyllus oil, agastache rugosus oil, chaste oil, azone, menthol crystal, oleic acid and camphor were detected by transdermal absorption experimentation in rabbit skin in vitro, indexes such as cumulative permeation quantity, penetrating rates, enhancement ratio and lag time were calculated, finally the principle components analysis method was used to evaluate the promoting effects of those transdermal enhancers.RESULTS: Oleic acid, caryopyllus oil, menthol crystal, agastache rugosus oil, azone and chaste oil all promoted 5-Fu through the skin, and the effects of these transdermal enhancers increased in sequence,2% chaste oil occupied the strongest position. Azone, caryopyllus oil, camphor, agastache rugosus oil, oleic acid, menthol crystal and chaste oil all showed the deposit effect, and those enhanced in sequence, too.CONCLUSION: The method of principle components analysis could evaluate the promoting effects of transdermal enhancers objectively and synthesizly.

Key words: Transdermal enhancer, Transdermal absorption, Principle components analysis