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PLO Gel - What is it?PLO is Pluronic lecithin organogel, a versatile and effective transdermal delivery vehicle for pharmaceutical agents that was invented in the early 1990s. PLO consists of an aqueous phase and a lipid phase. When these ingredients, together with a drug or supplement (such as progesterone), are mixed in a particular way, they form liposomes that contain the drug or supplement in the aqueous interior. The product is actually an emulsion that has the look and feel of a gel. The Pluronic part of the name refers to a proprietary commercial polymeric product, Pluronic® F-127, which is a powder that forms a gel when dissolved in water. That's the aqueous phase. Lecithin is a natural, lipid-soluble (water-insoluble) substance found in egg yolks and the membranes of plant and animal cells. Its principal constituent is the chemical compound phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid that is an integral component of all cell membranes. Lecithin also contains other phospholipids (mainly phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol), and it contains small amounts of triglycerides (fats), fatty acids, and carbohydrates. The composition of lecithin varies with the source (soybeans are a common source) and the degree of purification. Lecithin is used as an emulsifier in a wide range of commercial products, including foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints, and plastics. It can also be taken as a supplement to enhance brain function by providing nutrients needed for cell-membrane construction. The most useful form of lecithin in this regard is one with a preponderance of phosphatidylserine, which is known for its positive effects on memory. In addition to lecithin, the lipid phase of PLO (which constitutes the lipid bilayer of the liposome) contains the same amount of either isopropyl palmitate or isopropyl myristate. These are common organic liquids that are used as emollients and solvents and as delivery vehicles for fat-soluble compounds. The formulation may also contain some propylene glycol, a glycerin-like liquid. PLO is used for a wide variety of pharmaceutical products, including supplements, for which it can be particularly beneficial. Beyond its conventional use, it's helpful for administering drugs with a minimum of hassle in situations where the oral or rectal route is difficult or impossible, e.g., in demented or hostile patients, in patients with nausea or diarrhea, and in children who are distraught and uncooperative because of nausea or some other ailment. It's also used by veterinarians, who have special problems of their own. |
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