Generic placeholder image

Current Drug Delivery

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1567-2018
ISSN (Online): 1875-5704

Effect of Sonophoresis and Chemical Enhancers on Testosterone Transdermal Delivery from Solid Lipid Microparticles: An In Vitro Study

Author(s): Amal H. El-Kamel, Iman M. Al-Fagih and Ibrahim A. Alsarra

Volume 5, Issue 1, 2008

Page: [20 - 26] Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/156720108783331014

Price: $65

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of permeation enhancers and application of low frequency (LUS) and high frequency ultrasound (HUS) on testosterone (TS) transdermal permeation after application of testosterone solid lipid microparticles (SLM). SLM formulations contained 10% compritol and 5 mg TS /g of SLM. The permeation experiments were performed using Franz diffusion cells and abdomen rat skin. The examined permeation enhancers were 1% oleic acid (OA) or 1 % dodecylamine (DA). HUS (1 MHz) was applied in a continuous mode for 1h at intensity 0.5 W/cm2. Different intensities and application time of pulsed LUS (20 kHz) were also examined. Additionally, the effect of combination of US and OA or DA was investigated. Skin irritation and histological changes were also evaluated. The results revealed that SLMs have an occlusive effect on the skin. Statistical analysis revealed the following order for the permeation of TS: 1% DA for 30 min > HUS +1% DA for 30 min= HUS=HUS + SLM containing 1% OA > SLM containing 1% OA=control. At total application time of LUS 6, 12, and 15 min the flux increased by 1.86, 4.63, and 4.77 fold, respectively. The enhancement effect of different intensities of LUS was not directly proportional to the magnitude of intensity. Skin exposure to HUS or LUS before application of 1% DA for 30 min had no superior enhancement effect over application of either LUS or HUS alone. Application of drug loaded SLM offered skin protection against the irritation effect produced by TS and 1% DA. Histological characteristics of the skin were affected to various extents by application of enhancers or ultrasound. In general, application of LUS gave higher TS permeation than HUS. However, safe application of LUS should be practiced by careful selection of exposure parameters.

Keywords: Testosterone, SLM, permeation enhancers, sonophoresis, skin irritation, histology


Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy