SC lipid model membranes designed for studying impact of ceramide species on drug diffusion and permeation, part III: influence of penetration enhancer on diffusion and permeation of model drugs.

The impact of the lipophilic penetration enhancer, oleic acid (OA), on the barrier properties of stratum corneum (SC) lipid model membranes was investigated based on diffusion and permeation studies of model drugs covering a broad range of lipophilicities. Diffusion and permeation experiments of urea, caffeine and diclofenac sodium were conducted using Franz-type diffusion cells. HPLC and capillary electrophoresis techniques were employed to analyze the amount of permeated drug. An incorporation of OA to the SC lipid model membranes did not change the relation between the diffusion and permeation behavior of model drugs presented previously for SC lipid model membranes without OA. The fastest rate of diffusion through SC lipid model membranes occurred in the case of the most hydrophilic drug, urea. In the case of permeation studies of caffeine and diclofenac sodium across SC lipid model systems, the permeability parameters were either equal or slightly larger in favor of the most lipophilic drug, diclofenac sodium. OA had a pronounced impact on the barrier properties of SC lipid model membranes. It caused the impairment of the barrier function of the SC lipid model membrane with Cer [AP] (phytosphingosine-based ceramide), however, surprisingly improved the barrier properties of the SC lipid model system with Cer [EOS] (sphingosine-based acylceramide).

SC lipid model membranes designed for studying impact of ceramide species on drug diffusion and permeation--part II: diffusion and permeation of model drugs.

The barrier function of two quaternary stratum corneum (SC) lipid model membranes, which were previously characterized with regard to the lipid organization, was investigated based on diffusion studies of model drugs with varying lipophilicities. Diffusion experiments of a hydrophilic drug, urea, and more lipophilic drugs than urea (i.e. caffeine, diclofenac sodium) were conducted using Franz-type diffusion cells. The amount of permeated drug was analyzed using either HPLC or CE technique. The subjects of interest in the present study were the investigation of the influence of physicochemical properties of model drugs on their diffusion and permeation through SC lipid model membranes, as well as the study of the impact of the constituents of these artificial systems (particularly ceramide species) on their barrier properties. The diffusion through both SC lipid model membranes and the human SC of the most hydrophilic model drug, urea, was faster than the permeation of the more lipophilic drugs. The slowest rate of permeation through SC lipid systems occurred in the case of caffeine. The composition of SC lipid model membranes has a significant impact on their barrier function. Model drugs diffused and permeated faster through Membrane II (presence of Cer [EOS]). In terms of the barrier properties, Membrane II is much more similar to the human SC than Membrane I.

Characterization of lipid model membranes designed for studying impact of ceramide species on drug diffusion and penetration.

The stratum corneum (SC) intercellular lipid matrix plays a crucial role in the skin barrier function. In the present study, lipid model membranes mimicking its phase behavior were prepared and characterized using different analytical techniques (i.a. SAXD, HPTLC, ESEM, confocal Raman imaging, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy) in order to obtain well-standardized model membranes for diffusion and penetration studies. The lipid model membranes should be used in the future for studying the impact of each ceramide species on the diffusion and penetration of drugs. The SAXD study confirmed that the lipids within artificial lipid systems are arranged similarly to the lipids in the human SC. The polarization microscopic and ESEM images showed the homogenous deposition of lipids on the polycarbonate filter. Both the HPTLC and confocal Raman imaging studies proved the homogenous distribution of individual lipid classes within the lipid model membranes. First in vitro diffusion experiments (performed using an ATR-FTIR diffusion cell) of the hydrophilic compound, urea, revealed that the lipid model membrane represents even stronger diffusion barrier than the human SC.