Drug delivery into the skin by degradable particles
Wing Cheung Mak1, Heike Richter, Alexa Patzelt
1Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
Summary
Degradable particles effectively deliver drugs deep into hair follicles. A two-component system using particles and protease shows promise for enhanced skin drug delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Particles show potential as drug carriers for hair follicle delivery.
- A novel two-component system utilizes degradable particles and a protease formulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of degradable particles as a drug delivery system into porcine skin.
- To investigate the impact of sequential versus simultaneous application with a protease on particle penetration and dye release.
Main Methods:
- Developed degradable particles loaded with fluorescein isothiocyanate.
- Applied particles and protease formulation to porcine skin in sequential and simultaneous modes.
- Analyzed particle penetration depth using laser scanning microscopy.
Main Results:
- Particles alone achieved a penetration depth of approximately 900 μm.
- Sequential application resulted in similar penetration depths, with dye release within the protease penetration zone (250 μm).
- Simultaneous application led to particle dissolution and reduced penetration depth.
Conclusions:
- Degradable particles are a viable and promising tool for targeted drug delivery into the skin.
- The timing of protease application significantly influences particle integrity and delivery efficiency.
- This two-component system offers potential for controlled drug release within the skin layers.
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