Transdermal delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic local anesthetics from o/w and w/o Brij 97-based microemulsions.

PURPOSE: To characterize the physicochemical properties of drug-loaded oil-in-water (o/w) and water-in-oil (w/o) Brij 97-based microemulsions in comparison to their blank counterparts and to investigate the influence of microemulsion type on in vitro skin permeation of model hydrophobic drugs and their hydrophilic salts. METHODS: The microemulsion systems were composed of isopropyl palmitate (IPP), water and a 2:1 w/w mixture of Brij 97 and 1-butanol. The samples were characterized by visual appearance, pH, refractive index, electrical conductivity, viscosity and determination of the state of water and IPP in the formulations using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Transdermal flux of lidocaine, tetracaine, dibucaine and their respective hydrochloride salts through heat-separated human epidermis was investigated in vitro using modified Franz diffusion cells. RESULTS: The physicochemical properties of drug-loaded microemulsions and their blank counterparts were generally similar; however, slight changes in some physicochemical properties (apparent pH and conductivity) were observed due to the intrinsic properties of the drugs. The o/w microemulsions resulted in the highest flux of lidocaine, tetracaine and dibucaine as compared to the other formulations with in the same group of drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The characterization results showed that incorporation of the model drugs into the microemulsions did not change the microemulsion type. The permeation data exhibited that the nature of the microemulsions was a crucial parameter for transdermal drug delivery. The o/w microemulsions containing hydrophobic drugs provided the highest skin permeation enhancement. In addition, skin permeation was depended on the molecular weight of the model drugs.     

外用药脂质体为载体的透皮制剂研究进展

对脂质体作为外用透皮吸收药物的载体及其与角质层的相互作用、检测技术及临床应用等方面进行综述.     

Water-in-oil microemulsions for effective transdermal delivery of proteins

INTRODUCTION: A water-in-oil microemulsion is a thermodynamically stable emulsion that has the capacity to 'hide' water-soluble molecules within a continuous oil phase. The very small size of the water droplets within the microemulsion means that these types of formulation can be applied topically to the skin, with the result that peptides and proteins can be delivered effectively into the dermal layer. AREAS COVERED: This review discusses the general problems of peptide and protein delivery following topical application, and compares the possible routes of peptide and protein clearance and distribution within the body following topical administration. Several examples of successful peptide and protein delivery using microemulsions are discussed, in addition to the possible alterations in biological profiles following administration via this route. EXPERT OPINION: Water-in-oil microemulsions present themselves as an effective means of topical delivery of peptides and proteins of all sizes, and in high doses. These formulations are a cheap, stable, pain-free means of delivery of peptides and proteins to the skin. An exciting area of potential development is the area of weight control management. The results using insulin, IGF-I and GHRP-6 given topically are particularly intriguing. Whether these results can be replicated in humans and whether the use of these drugs for potential treatment of obesity will be commercially viable will be particularly interesting.     

Linker-based lecithin microemulsions for transdermal delivery of lidocaine

In this work, we introduce alcohol-free lecithin microemulsions formulated with linkers to produce transdermal delivery vehicles. The food-grade linker system consists of a combination of sodium caprylate and caprylic acid (hydrophilic linkers), and sorbitan monooleate (lipophilic linker). A "carrier" oil (isopropyl myristate) was used to predissolve a model lipophilic drug, lidocaine. The first part of the article describes the phase behavior and physical properties of these linker-based lecithin microemulsions. In the second part of the article, we evaluate the transdermal permeation and cytotoxicity of lidocaine formulated in oil-in-water (Type I), water-in-oil (Type II), and bicontinuous (Type IV) linker microemulsions. The transdermal permeation studies show that compared to a conventional Type II alcohol-based lecithin microemulsion, Type II linker-based microemulsions provide twice the absorption and penetration of lidocaine through skin. The larger flux obtained with linker systems is due to the presence of sodium caprylate and caprylic acid. These hydrophilic linkers accelerate the microemulsion-skin mass transfer by reducing the interfacial rigidity of the systems. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity studies show that these linker microemulsions are significantly less toxic than the alcohol-based system. The Type II linker microemulsion (containing approximately 4% lidocaine) has a comparable cytotoxicity to water saturated with lidocaine (0.4% lidocaine).     

Water-in-oil microemulsions for effective transdermal delivery of proteins

Introduction: A water-in-oil microemulsion is a thermodynamically stable emulsion that has the capacity to ‘hide’ water-soluble molecules within a continuous oil phase. The very small size of the water droplets within the microemulsion means that these types of formulation can be applied topically to the skin, with the result that peptides and proteins can be delivered effectively into the dermal layer.

Areas covered: This review discusses the general problems of peptide and protein delivery following topical application, and compares the possible routes of peptide and protein clearance and distribution within the body following topical administration. Several examples of successful peptide and protein delivery using microemulsions are discussed, in addition to the possible alterations in biological profiles following administration via this route.

Expert opinion: Water-in-oil microemulsions present themselves as an effective means of topical delivery of peptides and proteins of all sizes, and in high doses. These formulations are a cheap, stable, pain-free means of delivery of peptides and proteins to the skin. An exciting area of potential development is the area of weight control management. The results using insulin, IGF-I and GHRP-6 given topically are particularly intriguing. Whether these results can be replicated in humans and whether the use of these drugs for potential treatment of obesity will be commercially viable will be particularly interesting.     

以油包水型微乳为载体促进氟尿嘧啶的经皮渗透

以磺化琥珀酸二辛酯钠 (AOT) 为主要表面活性剂,制备氟尿嘧啶油包水型微乳制剂,以促进药物的经皮渗透。以伪三元相图为基础,依据微乳区域大小, 初步筛选微乳处方;用改进的Franz扩散池和离体小鼠皮肤研究氟尿嘧啶的透皮速率,以单位面积的透皮累积渗透量 (Q_n) 为指标, 考察微乳处方中助表面活性剂的种类、水相比例、混合表面活性剂比例、表面活性剂和助表面活性剂质量比和载药量对离体鼠皮透皮吸收的影响, 优化处方。结果表明,氟尿嘧啶微乳的优化处方为含药0.5%（w/v）,水30%,混合表面活性剂（AOT/Tween 85, K_m = 2）20%, 油相（IPM）49.5%,经皮渗透符合一级速率方程,12 h累积渗透量为（1 355.5 ± 41.1）μg·cm^-2, 分别为0.5%药物水溶液和2.5%（w/w）市售乳膏（O/W）的19.1和7倍。水/AOT/Tween 85/IPM微乳系统能促进5-氟尿嘧啶的透皮吸收, 可以作为氟尿嘧啶等亲水性但水溶性差和渗透性差的药物的新型经皮给药载体。

     

Cremophor RH40-PEG 400 microemulsions as transdermal drug delivery carrier for ketoprofen

The aim of this study was to prepare novel microemulsion for transdermal drug delivery of ketoprofen (KP). The microemulsion composed of ketoprofen as model drug, isopropyl myristate (IPM) as oil phase, surfactant mixture consisting of polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor RH40) as surfactant and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) as co-surfactant at the ratio 1:1, and water were prepared. The viscosity, droplet size, pH, conductivity of microemulsions, and skin permeation of KP through shed snake skin were evaluated. The particle size, pH, viscosity and conductivity of microemulsions were in the range of 114-210 nm, 6.3-6.8, 124-799 cPs and 1-45 μS/cm, respectively. The ratio of IPM, and surfactant mixture played the important role in the skin permeation of KP microemulsions. As the amount of surfactant mixture and IPM increased, the skin permeation of KP decreased. The formulation composed of 30% IPM, 45% surfactant mixture and 25% water showed the highest skin permeation flux. The incorporation of terpenes in the 2.5% KP microemulsions resulted in significant enhancement in skin permeation of KP. The rank order of enhancement ratio for skin permeation enhancement of terpenes was α-pinene > limonene > menthone. The results suggested that the novel microemulsion system containing IPM, water, Cremophor RH40:PEG400 and terpenes can be applied for using as a transdermal drug delivery carrier.     

氢溴酸高乌甲素透皮微乳的制备及其体外透皮吸收性能

目的研究氢溴酸高乌甲素的微乳处方及其体外透皮吸收性能。方法通过溶解度测定和微乳伪三元相图的绘制筛选微乳处方。采用HPLC法和TK-20B型透皮扩散试验仪测定氢溴酸高乌甲素含量及其微乳制剂的透皮吸收性能。结果组成为5%油酸、Labrasol和无水乙醇,其中Labrasol和无水乙醇分别为乳化剂和助乳化剂。以Km=1.5:1、水相为50%的微乳透皮性能最好。结论氢溴酸高乌甲素微乳透皮性能良好。     

Application of microemulsions in dermal and transdermal drug delivery

Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable colloidal dispersions of water and oil stabilized by a surfactant and, in many cases, also a cosurfactant. In the pharmaceutical field, microemulsions have been used as drug carriers for percutaneous, ocular, oral and parenteral administration. This review discusses some of the applications of microemulsions specifically for topical and transdermal applications. Microemulsion nomenclature and composition, with particular emphasis on choice of surfactant and cosurfactant, is discussed. Methods used to characterize microemulsions are reviewed. Microemulsion formulations for dermal and transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical agents with particular emphasis on anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic agents are critically evaluated. Finally, the issues which warrant further investigation by researchers in order to realize the full potential of the technology are discussed.     

含电解质的W/O型微乳作为氟尿嘧啶透皮给药载体的研究

通过电解质氯化钠(NaCl)的加入,制备含水量高、载药量高且透过能力强的氟尿嘧啶(5-Fu)W/O型微乳,并研究其体外透皮特性及皮肤刺激性。以肉豆蔻酸异丙酯(IPM)为油相,磺化琥珀酸二辛酯钠(AOT)为表面活性剂,Tween 85为助表面活性剂,在室温下采用磁力搅拌法滴加NaCl溶液至油相中,形成空白微乳后直接加入5-Fu粉末,即形成5-Fu微乳。以伪三元相图为基础、单位面积的透皮累积透过量(Qn)为指标,用改进的Franz扩散池和离体小鼠皮肤考察微乳处方中含水量和载药量对离体鼠皮透过量的影响,优化处方。以表面张力、黏度和电导率为指标,研究NaCl/AOT-Tween 85/IPM微乳的理化性质,并对最优处方的皮肤刺激性进行初步评价。结果表明,5-Fu微乳的优化处方为含药0.7%(w/v),0.05 mol·L-1 NaCl溶液50%,混合表面活性剂(AOT/Tween 85,Km=2)20%,油相29.3%。12 h累积透过量为(2 013.4±41.6)μg.cm-2,分别为0.7%药物水溶液和2.5%(w/w)市售乳膏(O/W)的20.23倍和10.38倍。该微乳具有一定的刺激性,但停药后可迅速恢复。...     

Lecithin vesicular carriers for transdermal delivery of cyclosporin A

Two kinds of vesicles with and without the presence of sodium cholate (flexible vesicles and conventional vesicles) were prepared, using cyclosporin A as model drug. When applied onto the excised abdominal skin of mice non-occlusively, the enhancing effects of vesicles on the penetration of cyclosporin A were assessed by an in vitro permeation technique. The effect of sodium cholate micelles was also studied. In vivo study was carried out by topical application of vesicles onto the mice skin and drug serum concentration was detected. Results showed that after 8 h of administration, flexible vesicles transported 1.16 microg of cyclosporin A through per cm(2) mice skin and amounted to 1.88 microg 24 h later. The residual amount in the skin was 1.78+/-0.51 microg/cm(2). However, flexible vesicles failed to transport measurable amount of drug through pre-hydrated skin while deposited 2.39+/-0.26 microg/cm(2) into the skin. Conventional vesicles failed to transfer cyclosporin A into the receiver while accumulated 0. 72+/-0.19 microg/cm(2) of drug in the skin. Furthermore, 1 and 40% sodium cholate micelles precluded the transport of cyclosporin A. In vivo studies indicated that with the application of flexible vesicles, serum drug concentration of 53.43+/-9.24 ng/ml was detected 2 h later. After the stratum corneum of mouse skin has been destroyed by shaving, flexible vesicles transferred large amount of drug into blood, up to 187.32+/-53.21 ng/ml after 1 h of application. Conventional vesicles failed to deliver measurable amount of drug into the blood under normal skin condition. In conclusion, flexible vesicle is better than conventional vesicle as the carrier for transdermal delivery of cyclosporin A. Penetration and fusion have been suggested to be two major functional mechanisms. Hydration is detrimental to the enhancement effect. Stratum corneum constitutes main barrier to the transport of lipophilic cyclosporin A.     

Nanoemulsions as potential vehicles for transdermal and dermal delivery of hydrophobic compounds: an overview

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, nanoemulsions have been investigated as potential drug delivery vehicles for transdermal and dermal delivery of many compounds especially hydrophobic compounds in order to avoid clinical adverse effects associated with oral delivery of the same compounds. Droplet size and surface properties of nanoemulsions play an important role in the biological behavior of the formulation. AREAS COVERED: In this review, current literature of transdermal and dermal delivery of hydrophobic compounds both in vitro as well as in vivo has been summarized and analyzed. EXPERT OPINION: Nanoemulsions have been formulated using a variety of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In many cases of dermal and transdermal nanoemulsions, the skin irritation or skin toxicity issues on human beings have not been considered which needs to be evaluated properly. In the last decade, much attention has been made in exploring new types of nanoemulsion-based drug delivery system for dermal and transdermal delivery of many hydrophobic compounds. This area of research would be very advantageous for formulation scientists in order to develop some nanoemulsion-based formulations for their commercial exploitation and clinical applications.     

Nanoemulsions as potential vehicles for transdermal and dermal delivery of hydrophobic compounds: an overview

Introduction: In recent years, nanoemulsions have been investigated as potential drug delivery vehicles for transdermal and dermal delivery of many compounds especially hydrophobic compounds in order to avoid clinical adverse effects associated with oral delivery of the same compounds. Droplet size and surface properties of nanoemulsions play an important role in the biological behavior of the formulation.

Areas covered: In this review, current literature of transdermal and dermal delivery of hydrophobic compounds both in vitro as well as in vivo has been summarized and analyzed.

Expert opinion: Nanoemulsions have been formulated using a variety of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In many cases of dermal and transdermal nanoemulsions, the skin irritation or skin toxicity issues on human beings have not been considered which needs to be evaluated properly. In the last decade, much attention has been made in exploring new types of nanoemulsion-based drug delivery system for dermal and transdermal delivery of many hydrophobic compounds. This area of research would be very advantageous for formulation scientists in order to develop some nanoemulsion-based formulations for their commercial exploitation and clinical applications.     

Application of Design Expert for the investigation of capsaicin-loaded microemulsions for transdermal delivery

Our previous study reported that the Design Expert® Software showed a beneficial role in the development of microemulsions (ME) for transdermal drug delivery. To fully confirm the reproducibility and the reliability of simultaneous optimal ME formulations, the optimal ME formulations predicted by the Design Expert® Software were experimentally formulated and verified for their skin permeability. Ternary phase diagrams were used to predict the optimal ME area, and the ME formulations selected from outside this area were considered as candidate ME systems. Our ME systems were formulated with isopropyl myristate (IPM) as the oil phase, cocamide diethanolamine (DEA) as the surfactant, ethanol as a co-surfactant and water as the aqueous phase. The droplet size, size distribution, electrical conductivity, pH, drug content and skin permeability of the candidate ME systems were monitored. Our findings indicated that the skin permeability of the optimal ME and all of the candidate ME formulations was significantly greater than that of the commercial capsaicin (CAP) product. Our study succeeded in predicting and developing the ME systems for the transdermal delivery of CAP. The simplex lattice design used in this study is experimentally useful for the development of pharmaceutical formulations.     

The effect of component of microemulsions on transdermal delivery of buspirone hydrochloride

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of components such as type, level, and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of surfactant, type and amount of cosurfactant, and drug concentration on the permeability of buspirone hydrochloride microemulsions through rat skin. The cumulative amount at 24 h ranged from 502.2 ± 57.8 to 1754.3 ± 616.6 μg/cm(2), flux ranged from 23.03 ± 1.84 to 83.36 ± 25.08 μg/(cm(2)/h), and lag time ranged from 3.0 to 4.7 h, indicating that the permeation parameters of buspirone from microemulsions were markedly influenced by the composition of microemulsions. In comparison with the effect of composition of microemulsions on the buspirone permeation capacity, it was found that microemulsions containing surfactant with HLB value of 11.16 possessed higher flux. The viscosity of microemulsions increased, flux decreased, and lag time was prolonged when amount of surfactant in microemulsions increased. The various cosurfactants can also influence the microemulsion formation and drug permeability. The microemulsion with ethanol as cosurfactant had higher permeation rate. However, the buspirone microemulsion with higher flux can provide the therapeutic minimum effective concentration, at workable administrated area about 3.3-5.8 cm(2), demonstrating microemulsions could be a promising drug carrier for transdermal delivery systems.     

Enhanced transdermal delivery and optimization of nano-liposome preparation using hydrophilic drug

The aim of this study is the appropriate manufacture of nano-liposome and evaluation of transdermal drug delivery after drug was loaded in liposome for topical site especially nose. To make small, stable, uniform and highly encapsulated nano-liposome, many factors including solvent, stabilizer, pH balance, homogenization speed, sonication time and filtration are critical. Especially, stearate series surfactants have positive effects on liposome size and long-term stability. In this experiment, unsaturated lecithin and Pseudoephedrine HCl (PSE) were selected for the surfactant and model drug, respectively. The unsaturated lecithin, one of the surfactants used to make the liposome, has excellent skin affinity and penetration. Tween 20 and Tween 80, support emulsifying agents, propylene glycol, a lecithin solvent?and triethanolamine as stabilizer were also used as materials for liposome. Nano-liposome was made with a high shear homogenizer and pulverized by ultrasonicator to reduce the size and increase uniformity. After that, a transdermal experiment was conducted with Franz-cells on hairless mouse skin and PSE was determined by HPLC. Based on the results of the experiments, when the appropriate concentrations of support emulsifying agent and stabilizer were added, the average size of the liposome was about 300?nm and the encapsulation rate was close up to 40%. Moreover, with faster mixing speed and longer sonication time, more uniform and smaller particles tended to be manufactured. In the skin permeation test, PSE entrapped in liposome had 20 times higher permeability than PSE raw material.     

Enhanced delivery of hydrophilic peptides in vitro by transdermal microneedle pretreatment

The aims of this study were to investigate the utility of solid microneedle arrays (150 µm in length) in enhancing transdermal delivery of peptides and to examine the relationship between peptide permeation rates and D₂O flux. Four model peptides were used (Gly–Gln–Pro–Arg [tetrapeptide-3, 456.6 Da], Val–Gly–Val–Ala–Pro–Gly [hexapeptide, 498.6 Da], AC–Glu–Glu–Met–Gln–Arg–Arg–NH₂ [acetyl hexapeptide-3, 889 Da] and Cys–Tyr–Ile–Gln–Asn–Cys–Pro–Leu–Gly–NH₂ [oxytocin, 1007.2 Da]). The influence of microneedle pretreatment on skin permeation was evaluated using porcine ear skin with Franze diffusion cell. Peptide permeation across the skin was significantly enhanced by microneedle pretreatment, and permeation rates were dependent on peptide molecular weights. A positive correlation between D₂O flux and acetyl hexapeptide-3 clearances suggests that convective solvent flow contributes to the enhanced transdermal peptide delivery. It is concluded that solid microneedle arrays are effective devices to enhance skin delivery of peptides.KEY WORDS: Microneedle, Peptide, Transdermal, Convective solvent flow     

Microemulsions as topical drug delivery vehicles: in-vitro transdermal studies of a model hydrophilic drug.

Microemulsions with a 58:42 weight ratio of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate: octanol and containing 15, 35, and 68% water have been tested for their ability to transport glucose across human cadaver skin. A flow-through multisample skin diffusion cell showed that both the 35 and 68% water microemulsions caused enhanced (approximately 30-fold) transport of glucose. No transport was discernible for the 15% water microemulsion. Differences in percutaneous glucose transport were shown to parallel differences in the diffusion of water within the microemulsion vehicles before application to the skin.     

Low-frequency sonophoresis: application to the transdermal delivery of macromolecules and hydrophilic drugs

Importance of the field: Transdermal delivery of macromolecules provides an attractive alternative route of drug administration when compared to oral delivery and hypodermic injection because of its ability to bypass the harsh gastrointestinal tract and deliver therapeutics non-invasively. However, the barrier properties of the skin only allow small, hydrophobic permeants to traverse the skin passively, greatly limiting the number of molecules that can be delivered via this route. The use of low-frequency ultrasound for the transdermal delivery of drugs, referred to as low-frequency sonophoresis (LFS), has been shown to increase skin permeability to a wide range of therapeutic compounds, including both hydrophilic molecules and macromolecules. Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of delivering proteins, hormones, vaccines, liposomes and other nanoparticles through LFS-treated skin. In vivo studies have also established that LFS can act as a physical immunization adjuvant. LFS technology is already clinically available for use with topical anesthetics, with other technologies currently under investigation.

Areas covered in this review: This review provides an overview of mechanisms associated with LFS-mediated transdermal delivery, followed by an in-depth discussion of the current applications of LFS technology for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs and macromolecules, including its use in clinical applications.

What the reader will gain: The reader will gain an insight into the field of LFS-mediated transdermal drug delivery, including how the use of this technology can improve on more traditional drug delivery methods.

Take home message: Ultrasound technology has the potential to impact many more transdermal delivery platforms in the future due to its unique ability to enhance skin permeability in a controlled manner.