Enantiomeric difference in percutaneous penetration of propranolol through rat excised skin.

The percutaneous penetration of R-(+)- and S-(-)-propranolol (PL) through rat excised skin was investigated in vitro. The flux of S-(-)-PL after application to normal skin was high compared with that of R-(+)-PL. On the other hand, in damaged rat skin, the flux of R-(+)-PL was almost equivalent to that of S-(-)-PL. It is suggested that there is an enantiomeric difference between S-(-)- and R-(+)-PL in terms of penetration through rat stratum corneum.     

In vitro percutaneous absorption of thiamine disulfide through rat skin from a mixture of propylene glycol and fatty acid or its analog.

Percutaneous absorption of thiamine disulfide, (TDS), a lipophilic derivative of thiamine, from a mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and fatty acid (FA) or its analog through rat skin was tested in vitro. Lauric acid (12:0) enhanced the absorption depending on its concentration in PG and showed a maximal enhancement at 10% w/w. At 10% w/v, lauryl alcohol also enhanced the absorption, but less than 12:0, which lauric acid methyl ester suppressed the absorption. The flux of TDS did not depend on the solubility of TDS in the vehicle, but on the permeability coefficient. From these results, it is suggested that FA increases the permeability coefficient not only because FA increases TDS diffusion by disrupting lipid packing in the stratum corneum but also, FA increases TDS partition to lipid phase by interacting with TDS.     

Penetration of drugs through skin,a complex rate-controlling membrane

Penetration of molecules and particles inside and through skin has long been well documented but it now merits renewed attention as a result of new areas of concern such as transdermal therapies, safety of cosmetic products, penetration of environmental compounds and skin decontamination.The topic is complex as skin structure is heterogeneous and because there are a number of penetration routes through the stratum corneum barrier: the intercellular, intracellular and follicular pathways. Recent advances in the study of penetration mechanisms deal with the control of the intercellular penetration route by the crystalline state of lipids, and the penetration through skin appendages (the follicular pathway) that appears to contribute much more than was previously thought.Applications dependent on skin penetration that have received special attention include transdermal delivery of nano- and microparticles by hair follicles, targeting of the skin immune system in order to develop new vaccination strategies, and problems relating to the risk assessment of nanoparticles and skin decontamination.