ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the in vitro percutaneous absorption profiles of ginsenoside Rh1 using ionic liquids [BMIM][Cl] as a novel permeation enhancer and to investigate the mechanism. Methods: Mice skin and porcine skin were used as skin model. Oil acid, isopropyl myristate, and menthol were used as comparing skin enhancers. The solubility of Rh1 (with or without enhancer) in water was measured by shake-flask method. Skin permeation experiment was performed using Franz diffusion cells. Skin structure change after treatment of [BMIM][Cl] was measured by FTIR. Results: By comparing with commonly used enhancers, 5% [BMIM][Cl] significantly increased the solubility of Rh1 and gave an excellent improvement on the skin penetrability of Rh1. The FTIR results suggested that [BMIM][Cl] accelerated the drug skin permeation by disrupting the lipid bilayer of skin stratum corneum. Conclusion: [BMIM][Cl] can serve as a novel skin permeation enhancer, and show a broad application prospect in transdermal drug delivery system.