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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers
Published on: October 17, 2013
Transport evaluation of salicylic acid and structurally related compounds across Caco-2 cell monolayers and
Maija Koljonen1, Katja Rousu, Jakub Cierny
1Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. maija.koljonen@helsinki.fi
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate passive vs. proton-dependent active transport mechanisms of salicylic acid (SA) and four structurally related anions. Transport was studied across Caco-2 cell monolayers and artificial lipid membranes (PAMPA) under pH-gradient and iso-pH conditions. Kinetic permeability parameters were provided by bidirectional Caco-2 experiments and concentration-dependency measurements. The transport route and putative transporters involved in SA transport were studied using EDTA and several inhibitors. SA and lipophilic 5-chlorosalicylic acid and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid reached saturation with increasing compound concentration indicating active transport. Permeation of 5-hydroxysalicylic acid and 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid was not saturated indicating passive transport. PAMPA with pure passive diffusion underestimated the transport of SA compared to Caco-2. Opening up the paracellular tight junctions by EDTA did not increase the transport of SA under the pH-gradient conditions confirming the hypothesis of pure transcellular transport of SA. Active transport of SA remained concentration-dependent even without the pH-gradient, and was reduced by the known MCT1 and OATP-B inhibitors and structurally related anions. Overall, several permeability test protocols are needed to obtain a more complete picture of transport properties of salicylic acid and structurally related compounds.
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