Facilitated skin penetration of lidocaine: combination of a short-term iontophoresis and microemulsion formulation

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the potential of the application of a short-term iontophoresis on the topical delivery of lidocaine hydrochloride from a microemulsion-based system. Five- and 10-min durations of anodal iontophoresis applied onto porcine skin were examined in combination with a microemulsion containing 2.5% lidocaine hydrochloride. A similar combination (10-min iontophoresis with microemulsion in the anodal electrode) was also examined in vivo in a rat model. It was shown in vitro that by combining microemulsion application with a 10-min iontophoresis of 1.13 mA/cm2 electric current density, a significantly increased flux was obtained compared with a combination of aqueous drug solution with the same iontophoresis protocol. In vivo studies revealed that 57.71 +/- 18.65 and 18.43 +/- 9.17 microg cm(-2) were reached in the epidermis and dermis, respectively, at t = 30 min of microemulsion application, when iontophoresis was applied for 10 min. In contrast, the application of aqueous solution-iontophoresis resulted in a relatively lower drug accumulation (21.44 +/- 10.42 and 5.30 +/- 2.25 microg cm(-2) in the epidermis and dermis, respectively, at t = 30) with more rapid clearance of the drug from the skin. Ten-minute application of a low-current electric field on a new topical microemulsion appears to make significant changes in skin permeability. The potential advantages of this procedure include significantly increased flux, accumulation of a large skin drug depot, short lag times, reduced irritation (compared to long-term iontophoresis), simplicity and ease of compliance.     

Iontophoretic transdermal delivery of ketoprofen: effect of iontophoresis on drug transfer from skin to cutaneous blood

The objectives of this study were to develop a method for kinetic analysis of drug transfer to cutaneous blood flow and to evaluate the effect of iontophoresis on drug transfer to cutaneous blood. Cathodal iontophoresis of ketoprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) was conducted to rats (applied electrical current 0.14 and 0.70 mA/cm2; application time 5, 15, 30, 60 and 90 min), and the drug concentrations in skin, cutaneous vein and systemic vein were determined. Transfer rate of ketoprofen from skin to cutaneous blood (R(SC)) was calculated by modifying a physiological pharmacokinetic model. The time-course of R(SC) for 0.70 mA/cm2 showed that the value of R(SC) was initially increased, following a gradual decrease with time after 30-min application. The effect of electrical current on drug transfer to cutaneous blood flow was estimated from the comparison to passive diffusion (without electrical current). The R(SC) value at 30-min application was almost proportional to the electrical current, and the enhancement ratio for 0.14 and 0.70 mA/cm2 was 17 and 73, respectively. Consequently, our results suggest that the change of drug transfer to cutaneous blood flow by iontophoresis may depend on the application period and the magnitude of electrical current.     

Transdermal iontophoresis of insulin: III. Influence of electronic parameters

Transdermal iontophoresis is a physical enhancement strategy primarily for charged molecules and offers a number of advantages for the delivery of peptides and proteins. The singular advantage of iontophoresis lies in the precise control of dose by manipulating the current protocol. The objective of the present investigation was to understand the role of electronic parameters on iontophoretic transport of large peptides using insulin as a model peptide. Ex vivo permeation experiments were conducted using excised rat skin and the influence of varying current strengths, duration, on/off ratios and switching iontophoresis on insulin permeation were studied. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were used to assess the electrochemical stability of insulin; while Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to understand the biophysical changes in skin during iontophoresis. The permeation of insulin was found to increase as a function of current strength and duration of current application. Skin barrier integrity and electrochemical stability of insulin was dependent on the charge applied during iontophoresis. FT-IR spectroscopy and TGA studies showed that the skin hydration increased with increase in the charge applied and thus facilitated the transport of insulin. Periodic iontophoresis did not show any significant difference in insulin permeation compared with continuous current application; 1:1 on/off ratio resulted in higher amount of insulin permeation, while flux was highest with mixed duty cycle. Switching iontophoresis was useful in reducing the pH shift and in improving the electrochemical stability of insulin at pH 3.6 and 7.4, respectively. The electroosmotic flow was influenced by the pH of the donor medium, as well as by the electrode polarity during switching and non-switching iontophoresis. Overall, the study demonstrates the issues related to the optimization of electronic parameters for the iontophoretic delivery of a large peptide.     

Enhancement of transdermal absorption by switching iontophoresis

The enhancing effect of switching iontophoresis on transdermal absorption of phthalic acid (PA), benzoic acid (BA), salicylic acid (SA), p-phenylenediamine (PD), aniline (AN) and verapamil (VR) and its mechanism were examined. An electric current with pulsed waveform (4 kHz, 50% duty) was passed through the skin for 2 h at 10 V. Iontophoretic application was carried out with switching at intervals of 5, 10 and 20 min, or without switching. Each drug solution was injected into the donor side of the cell, and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was injected into the receiver side. Transport of PA, BA and VR was affected by switching the polarity of electrodes but no effect was observed on that of SA, PD and AN. Cumulative amount permeated and apparent permeability coefficients were apparently high at switching intervals with a short period. The partition coefficient suggested that there was no interrelation between the affinity for skin and the permeability of each drug. The resistance values of PA and glucose were low at intervals of 5 min suggesting the participation of enhanced hydration of the skin. These results suggested that enhancement of skin hydration plays an important role in the enhancing effect of switching iontophoresis on skin permeation.     

Enhancing effect of switching iontophoresis on transdermal absorption of glibenclamide

Glibenclamide(GLI) is widely used as an oral hypoglycemic drug in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). We investigated The enhancing effect of switching iontophoresis on the transdermal absorption and reduction of skin irritation to develop a transdermal dosage form of GLI. The 0.1% of Gli suspensions in 0.2 M tris-HCl buffer of pH 7.4, 8.0 and 8.5 were prepared as donor solutions. We examined drug permeation through the excised rat abdominal skin, drug absorption in rats and reduction of skin irritation after application of switching iontophoresis for 1 h using DC 10 V. The solubility of GLI in 0.2 M tris-HCl buffer increased with a rise in pH. In the permeation study, GLI was permeated continuously and the cumulative amount of permeated GLI increased using an alkaline donor solution. In the drug absorption study, the application group of pH 8.5 gave higher plasma concentration levels than those of pH 7.4 and 8.0 groups. The skin irritation evoked by the application of iontophoresis was pathologically studied. A total irritation score (TIS) was estimated as a judging standard for the skin damage. The TIS value increased dependently with a rise in pH. However, it was considered that the skin irritations were not serious and small matters. The results demonstrate the possibility of iontophoretic transdermal administration of GLI and the effect of drug solubility in the donor solution on the absorption of GLI.     

Effect of saline iontophoresis on skin barrier function and cutaneous irritation in four ethnic groups.

The effect of saline iontophoresis on skin barrier function and irritation was investigated in four ethnic groups (Caucasians, Hispanics, Blacks and Asians). Forty healthy human volunteers were recruited according to specific entry criteria. Ten subjects, five males and five females, were assigned to each ethnic group. Skin barrier function was examined after 4 hours of saline iontophoresis at a current density of 0.2 mA/cm(2) on a 6.5 cm(2) area in terms of the measured responses: transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance, skin temperature and visual scores. There were significant differences in TEWL among the ethnic groups prior to patch application. TEWL at baseline in ethnic groups was in the rank order: Caucasian>Asian>Hispanic>Black. Iontophoresis was generally well tolerated, and skin barrier function was not irreversibly affected by iontophoresis in any group. There was no significant skin temperature change, compared to baseline, in any ethnic groups at any observation point. Edema was not observed. At patch removal, the erythema score was elevated in comparison to baseline in all ethnic groups; erythema resolved within 24 hours. Thus, saline iontophoresis produced reversible changes in skin barrier function and irritation in healthy human subjects.     

Regional variations in skin barrier function and cutaneous irritation due to iontophoresis in human subjects.

The effect of saline iontophoresis on skin barrier function and irritation was investigated on three body sites (abdomen, chest and upper arm) in order to select an appropriate site for iontophoretic delivery of drugs. Thirty healthy human volunteers were recruited according to specific entry criteria. Ten subjects, five males and five females, were assigned to each body site group. Skin barrier function and irritation was examined after 4 h of saline iontophoresis at a current density of 0.2 mA/cm(2) on a 6.5 cm(2) area in terms of the measured responses: transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance, skin temperature and visual scores. Alterations in TEWL due to iontophoresis were not observed in the upper arm and chest; however, changes in TEWL at the abdomen were observed and returned to baseline 2 h after patch removal. Similarly, changes in capacitance due to iontophoresis returned to baseline (P>0.05) at the three body sites 2 h after patch removal except under the anode at the abdomen (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in skin temperature due to iontophoresis at the anode and the cathode (P<0.05) at the upper arm. Edema was not observed. At patch removal, the erythema score was significantly (P<0.001) elevated in comparison to baseline at the three body sites. Erythema resolved within 24 h except at the chest under the anode, where the erythema score was still higher (P<0.01) than the baseline. Papules appeared in five subjects at the active anode site on the chest. In three of the subjects, these papules did not resolve until 24 h post patch removal. Thus, there was regional variation in the function of the skin and irritation due to iontophoresis. Irritation was greater at the chest than at the abdomen or upper arm.     

离子导入对降纤酶经皮渗透的影响

目的研究离子导入对降纤酶经皮渗透的影响。方法利用水平式扩散池，对降纤酶进行离子导入透过大鼠皮肤和人尸表皮的渗透性试验，对电极极性、渗透介质的pH以及离子强度等影响进行考察。结果离子导入阳极转运时，在pH 6.4的磷酸盐缓冲介质中，降纤酶的表观经皮渗透系数为（1.2±0.4）×10^-4 cm·h^-1，明显高于阴极转运［（4.3±1.4）×10^-5 cm·h^-1］；在pH 7.4磷酸盐缓冲介质中，降纤酶阳极离子导入经皮渗透量为（25±5）×10^-14 mol·cm^-2高于pH 6.4介质经皮渗透量［(15±4)×10^-14 mol·cm^-2］。结论离子导入阳极转运能够促进降纤酶的经皮渗透，电渗作用有重要影响。     

离子导入持续时间对盐酸丁卡因凝胶影响的研究

目的研究离子导入持续时间对盐酸丁卡因凝胶累积渗透量的影响.方法以盐酸丁卡因为模型药物,采用离子导入作为促透方法,分别测定不同持续时间下的盐酸丁卡因凝胶在离子导入后接受室溶液的吸收度,计算它们的累积渗透量.结果离子导入持续时间为15,30,45,60,90,120min时,稳态累积渗透量分别为5.74,11.25,15.37,20.97,28.82和36.96μg/cm2.结论在一定的电流强度和漏槽条件下,盐酸丁卡因离子导入凝胶累积渗透量与持续时间有较好的线性关系.     

离子导入对卡托普利透皮吸收的促进作用(英文)

目的:研究离子导入技术对卡托普利透皮吸收的促进作用。方法:应用离子导入技术研究了卡托普利体外透过大鼠离体皮肤的影响因素,并进行了卡托普利水凝胶贴片大鼠在体的试验,测定了血药浓度的变化。结果:离子导入技术可以有效地促进卡托普利的透皮吸收,透皮速率增加约7倍。药物贮库中的各种因素如pH,离子强度,药物浓度和电流强度均影响药物的透皮速率。随着pH的增加,离子强度的减小,药物浓度的增加及电流强度的增加,透皮速率也增加。大鼠在体试验也表明用药1h后血药浓度即可达到坪值(约0.9μg/mL),并在整个试验阶段维持稳定。结论:离子导入可以有效地促进卡托普利的透皮吸收。     

乙肝疫苗体外经大鼠皮肤渗透与离子导入给药特性研究(英文)

对乙肝疫苗进行体外经皮实验以评价疫苗在被动扩散和离子导入情况下的经皮渗透特性。体外透皮研究采用Franz扩散池,以SD大鼠的腹部皮肤为渗透屏障,以酶联免疫法测定药物累积渗透量和在皮肤中的滞留量。乙肝疫苗(质量浓度为23μg·mL-1与46μg·mL-1)经完整皮肤被动扩散的经皮渗透量与皮肤滞留量均极少,24 h累积渗透量仅(2.1±0.1)ng.cm-2和(2.3±0.1)ng.cm-2。去除角质层后,经皮渗透量与皮肤滞留量分别提高至(383.7±86.2)ng.cm-2和(16.8±4.6)ng.cm-2,是完整皮肤的171.6倍与2.1倍(46μg·mL-1)。离子导入对于乙肝疫苗具有明显的经皮渗透促进作用:完整皮肤经皮离子导入6 h,乙肝疫苗的累积渗透量是被动扩散6 h的2.7倍(23μg·mL-1)和6.6倍(46μg·mL-1);去角质层皮肤离子导入,乙肝疫苗的累积渗透量是被动扩散6 h的1.6倍(23μg·mL-1)和1.8倍(46μg·mL-1)。离子导入也能显著增加疫苗在皮肤中的滞留量。离子导入6 h疫苗在完整皮肤中的滞留量和去角质层皮肤中的滞留量均与被动扩散24 h的皮肤滞留量接近[完整皮肤...     

Pharmacokinetic and local tissue disposition of [14C]sodium diclofenac following iontophoresis and systemic administration in rabbits.

The systemic pharmacokinetics and local drug distribution of sodium diclofenac in skin and underlying tissues was studied. Iontophoresis facilitated local and systemic delivery of diclofenac sodium compared with passive diffusion. The maximum plasma concentration of sodium diclofenac was achieved within 1 h of iontophoresis, and the delivery was proportional to applied current density (371 +/- 141 and 132 +/- 62 microg/L at 0.5 and 0.2 mA/cm(2), respectively). The in vivo delivery efficiency for diclofenac in rabbit was 0.15 mg/mA.h. The concentrations of sodium diclofenac in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle beneath the drug application site (cathode) were significantly greater than plasma concentrations and concentrations of drug in similar tissues at the untreated sites. The results thus suggest that the cutaneous microvasculature is not always a perfect "sink" and that transdermal iontophoresis facilitated the direct penetration of diclofenac sodium to deeper tissues. No skin irritation was observed up to 0.5 mA/cm(2) current density and 7 mg/mL sodium diclofenac concentration.     

Improving the direct penetration into tissues underneath the skin with iontophoresis delivery of a ketoprofen cationic prodrug

Current topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) showed marginal efficacy in treatment of musculoskeletal disorders due to their fast clearance by skin blood flow and thus little direct penetration into the underlying muscle and joint tissues. Using ketoprofen (Kt) as a model NSAID and converting it to a cationic ester prodrug ketoprofen choline chloride (KCC), this study was to investigate the iontophoresis delivery of the prodrug KCC for improving the drug retention in the skin and the direct penetration into underlying tissues. From in vitro flux study, anodal iontophoresis of KCC showed 5 times higher flux than cathodal iontophoresis of Kt across human epidermis skin, and also 1.5 times higher across full thickness rat skin. From in situ dual agar gel model rat study, anodal iontophoresis of KCC showed 35 times more drug penetrating across the live skin into underlying agar gel and 22 times more drug retained in the skin than those from cathodal iontophoresis of Kt. Co-iontophoresis of a vasoconstrictor phenylephrine with KCC did not show better result than the iontophoresis of KCC alone. Overall, iontophoresis delivery of the cationic prodrug KCC showed great potential for direct penetration into local tissues underneath the skin.     

An in vivo investigation of the rabbit skin responses to transdermal iontophoresis

To optimize the benefits of transdermal iontophoresis, it is necessary to develop a suitable animal model that would allow for extensive assessments of the biological effects associated with electro-transport. Rabbit skin responses to iontophoresis treatments were evaluated by visual scoring and by non-invasive bioengineering parameters and compared with available human data. In the current density range 0.1–1.0 mA/cm² applied for 1 h using 0.9% w/v NaCl and 0.5 mA/cm² for up to 4 h, no significant irritation was observed. 2 mA/cm² applied through an area of 1 cm² for 1 h resulted in slight erythema at both active electrode sites but without significant changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). A value of 4 mA/cm² under similar conditions caused moderate erythema at the anode and cathode with TEWL and LDV being significantly elevated at both sites; 1 mA/cm² current applied for 4 h, caused moderate erythema at both anode and cathode; and 1 mA/cm² applied for 1 h caused no irritation when the area of exposure was increased from 1 to 4.5 cm². When significant irritation and barrier impairment occurred, the erythema was resolved within 24 h with barrier recovery complete 3–5 days post-treatment. Rabbit skin thus shows promise as an acceptable model for iontophoresis experiments.     

Enhanced percutaneous absorption of formoterol furmarate via pulsed iontophoresis. I. Effect of constant current and constant voltage

The effect of iontophoresis on percutaneous absorption of formoterol fumarate (FF) was investigated in vitro with abdominal skin excised from guinea pig. By passive diffusion, the flux at steady state for stripped skin was about 230 times greater than that for intact skin. Therefore, it is suggested that stratum corneum is a barrier for the percutaneous absorption of FF. Penetrated amount of FF increased significantly with an increase in donor concentration from 0.035% to 0.07%. Under the constant current iontophoresis the large flux accompanied with the high applied voltage was shown at the beginning of iontophoresis. Thereafter the flux decreased with a decrease in applied voltage. Under the constant voltage iontophoresis a linear relationship between penetrated amount of FF and time was observed.     

Synergistic effects of iontophoresis and jet injector pretreatment on the in-vitro skin permeation of diclofenac and angiotensin II

A non-needle syringe (jet injector) was utilized to increase skin permeation of drugs by iontophoresis. Briefly, physiological saline was initially flushed by the injector to make a pore in the stratum corneum of excised hairless rat skin, and the iontophoretic skin permeation of two model compounds, sodium diclofenac and angiotensin II, was followed using a 2-chamber diffusion cell. Constant voltage and constant current iontophoresis treatments were evaluated. Pretreatment using the jet injector alone resulted in about 13- and 22-fold increases in the steady-state flux of diclofenac and angiotensin II, respectively, through the skin, compared with non-treated controls. Jet injector pretreatment with constant voltage iontophoresis further enhanced skin permeation of diclofenac and angiotensin II, and the enhancement was also greater than that by constant voltage iontophoresis alone. Thus, a synergistic effect was observed. The ratio of enhancement was greater compared with the control. Jet injector pretreatment with constant current iontophoresis, however, did not always yield higher skin permeation of the drugs than injector pretreatment alone, although the lag time was shortened. The difference in the enhancement between the constant voltage- and constant current iontophoresis can be explained by the electric current through the excised skin. Constant current iontophoresis after a short period of constant voltage iontophoresis with multiple jet injector pretreatments may be the best way to increase drug permeability while preventing severe skin damage.     

A comparative study of electroporation and iontophoresis for percutaneous penetration of naproxen

Using side-by-side compartment diffusion cell and rat skin, the in vitro percutaneous penetration of naproxen by electroporation and iontophoresis with different energy was investigated and compared. Both electroporation and iontophoresis could obviously increase the penetration of naproxen through rat skin. The enhancing effect of electroporation was not always better than that of iontophoresis. The enhancing effect was dependent on the energy of the electrical field.     

Quantification and localization of fentanyl and trh delivered by iontophoresis in the skin

Autoradiography and the technique of stripping/slicing were used in order to investigate the pathways and to quantify drug penetration into skin after iontophoresis of two model compounds: fentanyl, a lipophilic molecule and TRH, a hydrophilic molecule. Iontophoresis was performed for 1, 4 and 6 h at a mean current density of 0.33 mA/cm² and was compared to passive diffusion. The quantification studies showed that iontophoresis increases the drug concentration in the part of the skin limiting molecule permeation: viable skin for fentanyl and stratum corneum for TRH. Even though, besides accumulation, autoradiography allows one to localize the route of passage, observations tend to confirm that transepidermal penetration can take place and that an important route of penetration is the transappendageal pathway.     

Effect of iontophoresis on in vitro skin permeation of an analogue of growth hormone releasing factor in the hairless guinea pig model.

The shortened analogue of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) Ro 23-7861 (1) has a molecular weight of 3929 daltons [equivalent to GRF (1-29)] and is more potent than the endogenous GRF (1-44). The in vitro hairless guinea pig model and vertical and horizontal diffusion cell assemblies were used to study the effect of iontophoresis on the permeability to skin of 1. The transport of 1 across the skin was studied by monitoring the rate of its appearance in the receiver compartment with a radioimmunoassay. No permeability of 1 was observed without iontophoresis, whereas with iontophoresis, the permeability of 1 was significant. For example, at a current density of 0.23 mA/cm2 and buffer concentration of 0.05 M, the flux of 1 was 56.8 +/- 8.21 ng/cm2.h. The flux of 1 was independent of the design of the permeation apparatus, the electrodes, the donor and receiver volumes, the type of current (constant or pulsed), and the frequency of the pulsed current. The flux of 1 increased curvilinearly with the increase in salt concentration of the buffer and linearly with the increase in current.     

Transdermal delivery of indomethacin by iontophoresis

The objective of this study was to construct a modified equation for the delivery of a drug by iontophoresis. Indomethacin was selected as a model since it has been widely used as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for external pharmaceutical preparations. The experiments were performed under a constant current in vivo using rat abdominal skin, and the plasma concentration was monitored by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained from the plasma concentration profiles after intravenous injection. A theoretical value of the transdermal delivery of drug by iontophoresis was calculated from the plasma concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters. The experimental value was evidently higher than the theoretical one, suggesting the enhancement of passive diffusion with an increase of applied current. The modified equation was proposed for the delivery of a drug by iontophoresis incorporating enhanced passive diffusion.