Zinc Oxide and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Enhancers in Topical Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Products

Abstract

Objectives:Scientists have widely investigated the use of chemical enhancers to improve drug transport through the skin. In this study, ZnO and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) has been used as dermal absorption enhancers for Ibuprofen (IP). Methods:Seven different formulations containing IP, ZnO, or ZnO-NPs were prepared. Dermal absorption experiments were performed at 32°C using a diffusion cell containing phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4) and a slice of chicken skin. Cumulative amounts of skin permeated IP, ZnO or ZnO-NPs were plotted over time.Results: After 60 minutes, 90, 8 and 81 mg ZnO, ZnO-NPs and IP were passed through the skin, respectively. This amount for IP was 105, 114, 131 and 183 mg in presence of 100 mg ZnO, 100 mg ZnONPs, 200 mg ZnO-NPs, and 500 mg ZnO-NPs, respectively. Maximum amount of not-permeated IP was seen for formulation 1 (IP without enhancer) and minimum notpermeated IP was seen for formulation 5 (IP with 500 mg ZnO-NPs as enhancer). Conclusion:ZnO and more strongly ZnO-NPs could act as enhancers for transdermal delivery of IP. Such effect was improved by increase in concentration of ZnO-NPs. Therefore, ZnO-NPs can be used as enhancer in dermal drug delivery formulations.

Different Inorganic Nanoparticles as Enhancers for Dermal Delivery of Proteins in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Products

“…Similarly ZnO-NPs can not pass 20 through the skin . We have proved the enhancing effect of ZnO-NPs on skin penetration of ibuprofen and also on skin penetration of liquid enhancers in our previous 21,22 works for the rst time . These ndings highlight the lack of research on the enhancing effects ofthe CaP-NPs and/or ZnO-NPs in dermal drug delivery.…”

“…Formulation 1 is repeated in this gure for better comparison. Using ZnO-NPs and DW (formulation 3) resulted in more permeated albumin (22±7 mg) compared to DW alone (p<0.05).Similarly, usingZnO-NPs and every one of the solvents (formulations [16][17][18][19][20][21] resulted in more permeated albumin (33±6, 25±6, 25±1, 487±6,88±10 and 15±8mg, respectively) compared to those for every solvent alone (p<0.05 for each pair). Among such increases, the increase caused by ZnO-NPs and LP (about 103 mg increase) was much more than the increases caused by ZnO-NPs and other solvents (p<0.05 for every pair of formulations).…”

“…The maximum dose was chosen to obtain a 3 maximum enhancing action .Then 200 mg CaP-NPs or ZnO-NPs was added to formulations 2, 3 and 10-22. Such a dose for NPs was their optimum concen-tration 21 as topical enhancer, obtained in our previous work . Then the whole formulation was mixed with a mechanical overhead mixer (Heidolph, RZR 2020, Germany) for 15 minutes to make a paste.…”

“…In this order, the NPs positioned through the skin layers and therefore, could alter the skin microstructure helping the drug passing the skin. Such a method of using NPs as enhancer (simultaneous use with drug and without loading the drug), was successfully employed in our 21,22 previous works . Thus the NPs in this paper, have been used as penetration enhancers and not as carriers.…”

“…Among them, six solvents including sunower oil (Su), olive oil (Ol), coconut oil (Co), liquid parafn (LP), Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 1,3,23,24 were used in this study as CPEs . The oils (Su, Ol and Co) were chosen becausein previous studies we 21,22 found them as effective enhancers . In addition, since they are natural and edible nutrient oils, they are completely safe.The rest of organic solvents (LP, DMSO and THF) were chosen becausethey are of the most famous enhancers used safely in tremendous FDA 1 approved dermal products .…”