The role of viscosity on skin penetration from cellulose ether‐based hydrogels

Abstract

BackgroundThe rheological properties of dermal drug delivery systems are of importance when designing new formulations. Viscosity not only affects features such as spreadability and skin feel, but may also affect the skin penetration of incorporated actives. Data on the latter aspect are controversial. Our objective was to elucidate the relation between viscosity and drug delivery performance of different model hydrogels assuming that enhanced microviscosity might delay drug release and penetration.Materials and MethodsHydrogels covering a broad viscosity range were prepared by adding either HPMC or HEC as gelling agents in different concentrations. To investigate the ability of the gels to deliver a model drug into the skin, sulphadiazine sodium was incorporated and its in vitro skin penetration was monitored using tape stripping/HPLC analysis and non‐invasive confocal Raman spectroscopy.ResultsThe trends observed with the two different experimental setups were comparable. Drug penetration depths decreased slightly with increasing viscosity, suggesting slower drug release due to the increasingly dense gel networks. However, the total penetrated drug amounts were independent of the exact formulation viscosity.ConclusionDrug penetration was largely unaffected by hydrogel viscosity. Moderately enhanced viscosity is advisable when designing cellulose ether hydrogels to allow for convenient application.

Rheology by Design: A Regulatory Tutorial for Analytical Method Validation

“…For instance, the formulation spreadability and bioadhesion to the skin are highly affected by viscoelastic properties. As patients directly apply topical formulations on their skin, these sensorial attributes are of outmost importance to assure patient acceptability and, therefore, treatment compliance [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Comparative skin penetration profiles of formulations including ultradeformable liposomes as potential nanocosmeceutical carriers

“…24 On the other hand, fluorescence images were in general concordance with the tape stripping determinations. Other recent work has studied the fate of the skin penetration of a model drug 25 In sum, these results help to evaluate the chances of using active-loaded UDL as additives for cosmeceutical products.…”

“…On the other hand, fluorescence images were in general concordance with the tape stripping determinations. Other recent work has studied the fate of the skin penetration of a model drug 25 after being loaded in different vehicles (hydrogels of different viscosities) without significant changes among the vehicles used. These results are also in concordance with our findings.…”

Effects of Microwave-Assisted Opuntia humifusa Extract in Inhibiting the Impacts of Particulate Matter on Human Keratinocyte Skin Cell

“…The rheological properties of plant extracts are of importance when designing new formulations. Among them, viscosity usually is used to determine their suitable formulations, because viscosity not only affects some crucial characteristics (i.e., skin feel and spreadability), but might also impact the skin penetration of incorporated active agents [31]. A reasonable viscosity of plant extracts is beneficial for the development of cosmetic formulations for the skin.…”