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Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems

Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems

Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) enable the controlled release of drugs across the skin into systemic circulation. They are particularly advantageous for drugs with short half-lives or narrow therapeutic indices, as they maintain consistent plasma concentrations and reduce the risk of subtherapeutic or toxic levels.TDDS are categorized into monolithic, reservoir, and mixed systems. Monolithic systems embed the drug in a polymer matrix, where diffusion governs release. Reservoir systems...

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Related Experiment Video

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Hollow Microneedle-based Sensor for Multiplexed Transdermal Electrochemical Sensing

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Published on: June 1, 2012

Transdermal delivery using surface electrodes in porcine skin.

P G Johnson¹, S A Gallo, S W Hui

¹Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Department, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY.

Methods in Molecular Medicine

|March 30, 2011

Summary

The stratum corneum (SC) hinders skin drug delivery. Electroporation uses electric pulses to create temporary pores in the SC, enhancing transdermal molecule transport for improved drug and gene delivery.

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Neonatal Pial Surface Electroporation

Neonatal Pial Surface Electroporation

Published on: May 7, 2014

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Pharmaceutics
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

The stratum corneum (SC) presents a significant barrier to effective cutaneous and transcutaneous drug and gene delivery.
Disrupting the SC's integrity is key to enhancing molecular transit across the skin.
Methods like tape-stripping, dermabrasion, vehicle optimization, and penetration enhancers (e.g., DMSO) can increase skin absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore electroenhanced methods for overcoming the stratum corneum barrier.
To differentiate electroporation from other electroenhanced delivery techniques like iontophoresis and electrochemotherapy.

Main Methods:

Investigated electroporation as a method to create transient pores in the SC via electric pulses.
Examined the transport mechanisms (diffusion, electromotive, electroosmotic) through electroporation-induced gaps.
Compared electroporation with iontophoresis, which utilizes electrical potential gradients for ion/molecule migration, and electrochemotherapy, a localized tumor treatment.

Main Results:

Electroporation effectively disrupts the SC, creating pathways for enhanced drug and gene delivery.
Iontophoresis primarily uses existing pathways or low-voltage permeabilization of appendageal bilayers.
Electrochemotherapy is distinct, focusing on localized tumor treatment rather than transdermal delivery.

Conclusions:

Electroporation offers a viable strategy for enhancing transdermal drug and gene delivery by temporarily breaching the SC barrier.
Understanding the distinct mechanisms of electroporation, iontophoresis, and electrochemotherapy is crucial for optimizing electroenhanced delivery applications.