Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Mura P, Faucci MT, Bramanti G, Corti P. Evaluation of transcutol as a clonazepam transdermal permeation enhancer from hydrophilic gel formulations. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2000 Feb;9(4):365-72. doi: 10.1016/s0928-0987(99)00075-5. 

Abstract. Such a result is explained on the basis of the particular mechanism of action demonstrated for transcutol which associates the increase of drug solubility to the potent effect of a depot in the skin.

Shu J, Zhao J, Guo F. Systematically optimized topical delivery system for Loperamide hydrochloride: Formulation design, in vitro and in vivo biopharmaceutical evaluation. Asian J Pharm Sci. 2018 May;13(3):255-264. doi: 10.1016/j.ajps.2017.08.009.

Abstract. This study aimed to develop a suitable topical delivery system containing diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DGME) for Loperamide hydrochloride (Lop). 

Hardin BD, Goad PT, Burg JR. Developmental toxicity of four glycol ethers applied cutaneously to rats. Environ Health Perspect. 1984 Aug;57:69-74. doi: 10.1289/ehp.845769.

Abstracts. In the present study ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate (EGEEA), ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE), and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (diEGEE) were tested in the same experimental model, using distilled water as the negative control and EGEE as a positive control....Visceral malformations and skeletal variations were significantly increased in EGEE and EGEEA groups over the negative control group. No embryotoxic, fetotoxic, or teratogenic effects were detected in the EGBE- or diEGEE-treated litters.

Pireddu R, Sinico C, Ennas G, Schlich M, Valenti D, Murgia S, Marongiu F, Fadda AM, Lai F. The effect of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether on skin penetration ability of diclofenac acid nanosuspensions. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2018 Feb 1;162:8-15. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.11.012.

Abstract. In this work, the penetration enhancer diethylene glycol monoethyl ether was included in novel diclofenac acid nanocrystal formulations, developed using the wet media milling technique and Poloxamer 188 as stabilizer. 

Zhang Y, Hu H, Jing Q, Wang Z, He Z, Wu T, Feng NP. Improved Biosafety and Transdermal Delivery of Aconitine via Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether-Mediated Microemulsion Assisted with Microneedles. Pharmaceutics. 2020 Feb 17;12(2):163. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12020163.

Abstract. In the current study, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether-mediated microemulsions were combined with microneedles for enhanced transdermal aconitine delivery. 

 Levi-Schaffer F, Dayan N, Touitou E. Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (Transcutol) displays antiproliferative properties alone and in combination with xanthines. Skin Pharmacol. 1996;9(1):53-9. doi: 10.1159/000211390.

Abstract. In conclusion, we have shown that Transcutol has antiproliferative effects on 3T3 murine, human normal and psoriatic fibroblasts and tumour cell lines. In addition it enhances xanthine antiproliferative effects on 3T3 fibroblasts. Therefore it might be a useful topical drug alone or in combination with xanthines in the treatment of skin hyperproliferative disorders.