In vivo skin penetration studies of camomile flavones

In vivo skin penetration studies of the Camomile flavones apigenin, luteolin and apigenin 7-O-beta-glucoside were carried out with nine healthy, female volunteers. During seven hours the decline of flavonoid concentration in a saturated aqueous alcoholic solution filled in glass application chambers were repeatedly measured by spectrophotometry at fixed time periods. The maximal fluxes were calculated. From the graph of the maximal flux values as a function of time it was concluded, that the flavonoids are not only adsorbed at the skin surface, but penetrate into deeper skin layers. This is important for their topical use as antiphlogistic agents.