Transdermal absorption and stability enhancement of salmon calcitonin by Tat peptide

Highly organized structure of stratum corneum (SC) is the major barrier of the delivery of macromolecules such as proteins and peptides across the skin. Recently, cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) such as HIV1-trans-activating transcriptional (Tat) have been used to enhance the topical delivery of proteins and peptides.

This study aimed to enhance the transdermal absorption and chemical stability of salmon calcitonin (sCT) by co-incubation with Tat.

Tat-sCT mixture at 1:1 molar ratio was prepared. Transdermal absorption and chemical stability of the mixture was evaluated in comparing with free sCT.

Tat-sCT mixture gave higher cumulative amounts and fluxes of sCT than free sCT. The maximum percentage of sCT of 58.36 ± 12.33% permeated into the receiving chamber was found in Tat-sCT mixture at 6 h which was 3.50 folds of free sCT. Tat-sCT mixture demonstrated better sCT stability than sCT solution after 1 month storage at 4°C, 25°C and 45°C.

The positively-charged arginine groups in Tat might be responsible for the binding of peptide complexes to negatively charged cell surfaces by electrostatic interactions and also the translocation of sCT through the excised skin.

This study demonstrated the enhancements of transdermal absorption and stability of sCT by Tat peptide with potential for further application in transdermal delivery of other therapeutic peptides.