Ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil (PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil) is a combination of synthetic polyethylene glycol (PEG) with natural castor oil. Ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil can be used to emulsify and solubilize oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions. Ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil can be used as a cosolvent in vivo[1].

20% PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil (10 μl) is applied to the left ear of the mouse, and the right ear served as a control. The mice are observed for development of erthyma for 6 days, no signs of irritation are observed in the mice[1].PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil (injection via the tail vein; 300, 900, and 2700 mg/kg; 4 weeks) is administared for short-term toxicity. At doses of 300 and 900 mg/kg PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oi exhibits no systemic toxicity. However, at a dose of 2700 mg/kg, slight ataxia is observed and body weight is reduced significantly in the males and slightly in the females[1].A toxicity study of blank nanoemulsion using PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil as a surfactant is applied in order to load various active compounds for oral administration[2].Nearly 20% of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil was used to emulsify the glyceryl monooleate (GMO) as an oil to the aqueous phase. In Webster mice, 5000 mg/kg blank nanoemulsion is given orally to mice once a day for 14 days, this nanoemulsion does not produce hazardous effects, and it has no effect on food intake[2].

[1]. PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL [2]. Heni Rachmawati, et al. The In Vitro-In Vivo Safety Confirmation of PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil as a Surfactant for Oral Nanoemulsion Formulation. Sci Pharm. 2017 Mar 31;85(2):18. doi: 10.3390/scipharm85020018. [3]. PEGylated Oils as Used in Cosmetics