Effects and Mode of Action of Oleic Acid and Tween 80 on Skin Permeation of Disulfiram

Abstract

Oral disulfiram (DSF) has been used clinically for alcohol dependence and recently has been found to have antitumor activity. A transdermal delivery system would be useful for maintaining drug concentration and reducing the frequency of administration of DSF for cancer treatment. Penetrating the stratum corneum (SC) barrier is a challenge to the transdermal delivery of DSF. Therefore, we investigated the promoting effects and mechanism of action of the combination of oleic acid (OA) and Tween 80 on the skin permeation of DSF. Hairless mouse skin was exposed to OA and Tween 80, combined in various ratios (1:0, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 0:1). A permeation experiment was performed, and total internal reflection infrared spectroscopic measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction measurements were taken of the SC with each applied formulation. The combination of OA and Tween 80 further enhanced the absorption-promoting effect of DSF, compared with individual application. The peak of the CH2 inverse symmetric stretching vibration near the skin surface temperature was shifted by a high frequency due to the application of OA, and DSF solubility increased in response to Tween 80. We believe that the increased fluidity of the intercellular lipids due to OA and the increased solubility of DSF due to Tween 80 promoted the absorption of DSF. Our study clarifies the detailed mechanism of action of the skin permeation and promoting effect of DSF through the combined use of OA and Tween 80, contributing to the development of a transdermal preparation of DSF.

Effect of chemical penetration enhancers on the transdermal delivery of olanzapine in human skin in vitro

“…The synergistic effect of OA and Tween 80 for transdermal delivery of disulfiram further confirms a promising direction for the use of Tween 80 in topical formulations (Saitoh et al 2023). In another study, Tween 80 has acted as an effective penetration enhancer for the transdermal delivery of diclofenac sodium through polymeric patches (Abdullah et al 2023).…”

Optimization of Potential Nanoemulgels for Boosting Transdermal Glimepiride Delivery and Upgrading Its Anti-Diabetic Activity

“…The cumulative amounts of drug permeated through the skin from optimized GM-loaded nanoemulgel or GM-loaded control gel were 316.21 ± 9.63 μg/cm 2 and 62.75 ± 10.85 μg/cm 2 , respectively, at 24 h. This superior permeation of GM-loaded nanoemulgel might be attributed, on the one hand, to the nanosized globules of the formulation, which could enhance drug solubilization and the surface area available for drug permeation, and, on the other hand, to the ability of formulation components to disrupt the lipidic barrier of the skin surface [ 51 ]. Several studies have emphasized the penetration-enhancing effect of tween 80 on the percutaneous absorption of topically applied drugs [ 52 , 53 ]. Furthermore, transcutol P was acknowledged for its efficacy to facilitate drug penetration through biological membranes by being integrated within the membrane lipid bilayers and altering their structure, which in turn would enhance drug permeability [ 54 ].…”