Microemulsions Improve Topical Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) Delivery for Photodynamic Therapy of Skin Cancer

Abstract We report here microemulsions (MEs) for topical delivery of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) of skin cancers. Selected MEs consisting of Oil/Water (O/W) bicontinuous (BC) and Water/Oil (W/O) preparations were characterized as to pH, nanometric size, zeta potential, drug content, and viscosity. Sustained in vitro PpIX release was achieved from MEs 2A (O/W), 10B (BC) and 16B (W/O) through an artificial membrane for up to 24 h, characterizing MEs as drug delivery systems. None of these MEs showed permeation through the skin, demonstrating the required topical effect. After 4 h, in vitro retention of PpIX in the stratum corneum (SC) was higher from both ME 10B and control (PpIX at 60 µg/mL in PEG 300). However, in the Epidermis + Dermis ([Ep + D]), retention from ME 10B and ME 16B was ~40 times higher compared to control. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) showed higher fluorescence intensity in the SC for both control and ME 10B, whereas ME 10B fluorescence was higher in [Ep+D]. The results indicate that ME 10B is suitable for PpIX encapsulation, showing good characteristics and a localized effect for a potential delivery system for PDT-associated treatments of skin cancers.

Influence of ceramide 2 on in vitro skin permeation and retention of 5-ALA and its ester derivatives, for photodynamic therapy / Influência da ceramida 2 sobre a permeação cutânea in vitro e retenção de 5-ALA e seus derivados de ésteres, para terapia fotodinâmica

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), an endogenous precursor of protoporphyrin, is an interesting approach for the treatment of skin cancer. However, 5-ALA is a hydrophilic molecule and such a characteristic limits its appropriate cutaneous penetration and retention. In this way, more lipophilic molecules, such as esterified 5-ALA derivatives, have been under investigation in order to improve the skin penetration of this molecule. Drug formulation can also alter 5-ALA skin penetration. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the influence of ceramide 2 - the main lipid of the SC- on the cutaneous delivery of 5-ALA and its ester derivatives in vitro, using Franz diffusion cell. The skin permeation of all studied drugs was decreased in the presence of ceramide, representing a desirable characteristic in order to avoid the risk of systemic side effects. Nevertheless, the SC and [epidermis + dermis] retention after 16 h has also been decreased in the presence of ceramide, as compared to control. In conclusion, ceramide was not a good adjuvant, meaning that research of other vehicles could be useful to improve cutaneous delivery of 5-ALA.

A Terapia Fotodinâmica (TFD) tópica com um precursor das porfirinas endógenas, o ácido 5-aminolevulínico (5-ALA), constitui uma nova modalidade para o tratamento do câncer de pele. Entretanto, o 5-ALA é uma molécula hidrofílica, o que limita sua penetração e retenção cutânea apropriadas. Moléculas mais lipofílicas, tais como derivados esterificados do 5-ALA, estão sob intensa investigação para melhorar a penetração cutânea desta molécula. A formulação que contém o fármaco também pode alterar a penetração cutânea do 5-ALA. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a influência da ceramida 2 - o principal lipídeo do EC- sobre a penetração cutânea de 5-ALA e seus derivados esterificados usando células de difusão de Franz. A permeação de todas as drogas estudadas através da pele foi diminuída na presença de ceramida, o que é desejável, evitando riscos de efeitos colaterais sistêmicos. Entretanto, a retenção no EC e [epiderme + derme] também foi diminuída na presença da ceramida, após 16 horas, comparado ao controle. Concluindo, a ceramida não foi um bom adjuvante, sendo necessária a pesquisa de outros veículos para melhorar a liberação cutânea do 5-ALA.

Otimização da liberação cutânea do ácido 5-aminolevulínico para terapia fotodinâmica do câncer de pele: avaliação in vitro e in vivo da influência de promotores de absorção cutânea / Optimization of the 5-aminolevulinic acid of cutaneous delivery in photodinamic therapy of the skin cancer: evaluation in vitro and in vivo of the influence of promoters of cutaneous adsorption

Na terapia Fotodinâmica, (TFD) o ácido 5-aminolevunílico (5-ALA) aplicado topicamente é convertido, via ciclo heme, à protoporfirina IX (PpIX), um agente fotossensibilizante, o qual sob excitação com luz, pode induzir destruição tumoral. Devido a suas características hidrofílicas, o 5-ALA tem penetração limitada na pele. Este estudo propôs a otimização da TFD-5-ALA por misturas contendo ceramida + 5-ALA (ou seus derivados ésteres ALA n-hexil e ALA n-octil) ou pelo uso do promotor de penetração, o ácido oléico (AO). A ceramida não constituiu um bom adjuvante para o sistema proposto, pois houve uma redução na permeação bem como na retenção dos fármacos, através da pele, comparado ao controle...

Potential incorporation of 5-aminolevulinic acid in micelles and stratum corneum lipids liposomes: fluorescence quenching studies

The quenchings of pyrene fluorescence by 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles and stratum corneum lipids liposomes (SCLLs) were studied in order to verify the capacity of incorporation of 5-ALA in these systems. Static and dynamic quenching constants based on the simultaneous determination of fluorescence intensity quenching and fluorescence decay measurements were determined. 5-ALA was incorporated at crescent concentrations in SDS micelles and SCLLs containing the fluorescent probe (pyrene, 1,15 x '10 POT.menos 5 M') and the rate constants of quenching (kq) of pyrene were determined. 5-ALA was able to quench the fluorescence of the probe in both systems studied. A greater extent...