Innovative Rocuronium Bromide Topical Formulation for Targeted Skin Drug Delivery: Design, Comprehensive Characterization, In Vitro 2D/3D Human Cell Culture and Permeation
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Updated: Jul 29, 2025

Visualizing and Quantifying Pharmaceutical Compounds within Skin using Coherent Raman Scattering Imaging
Published on: November 24, 2021
Victor H Ruiz1, David Encinas-Basurto1,2, Bo Sun1,3
1Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Abstract:
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second-most common type of non-melanoma skin cancer and is linked to long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Rocuronium bromide (RocBr) is an FDA-approved drug that targets p53-related protein kinase (PRPK) that inhibits the development of UV-induced cSCC. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties and in vitro behavior of RocBr. Techniques such as thermal analysis, electron microscopy, spectroscopy and in vitro assays were used to characterize RocBr. A topical oil/water emulsion lotion formulation of RocBr was successfully developed and evaluated. The in vitro permeation behavior of RocBr from its lotion formulation was quantified with Strat-M® synthetic biomimetic membrane and EpiDerm™ 3D human skin tissue. Significant membrane retention of RocBr drug was evident and more retention was obtained with the lotion formulation compared with the solution. This is the first systematic and comprehensive study to report these findings.
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