Evaluations of Efficacy and Toxicity on Permeation Enhancers and Additives Commonly Used in Commercially Topical Formulations

The efficacy and safety of commonly used enhancers were systemically evaluated by in vitro and in vivo methods in this study. Flurbiprofen was used as the model drug to examine the enhancing capacity of these enhancers. Both in vitro permeation by Franz cells and in vivo kinetics of skin disposition were performed to determine the flurbiprofen permeation by enhancers. Unsaturated fatty acids showed the greatest enhancement of flurbiprofen permeation. The enhancing effect of d-limonene was slightly lower than that of the fatty acids. Azone and l-a-lecithin even reduced the skin deposition by flurbiprofen application. In vitro prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release by cell culture, in vivo transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and colorimetry, and skin morphological changes were determined to examine the irritation of the skin by enhancers. The results showed that skin disruption and inflammation did not necessary correspond to the enhancing efficiency of the enhancers. Moreover, some discrepancies were observed in these irritant profiles when using various methods.

Project ID:PG9201-0317
External Project ID:DOH92-TD-1120