Transdermal delivery using surface electrodes in porcine skin

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.