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Transdermal delivery of cyclosporin-A using electroporation
1School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada.
Summary
Electroporation significantly enhances topical cyclosporin A (CSA) delivery for psoriasis treatment, overcoming skin barrier challenges. Multiple pulses achieved a sixty-fold increase in CSA delivery compared to passive methods.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pharmaceutics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Topical delivery of cyclosporin A (CSA) is crucial for psoriasis treatment.
- Stratum corneum and CSA's properties hinder effective topical drug delivery.
- Iontophoresis showed limited efficacy in enhancing CSA transdermal delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate electroporation as a physical penetration enhancer for topical CSA delivery.
- To optimize electroporation parameters for maximizing CSA transdermal transport.
- To assess the impact of electroporation on solvent and drug permeation.
Main Methods:
- Electroporation with varying voltages and pulse numbers was applied to deliver CSA in ethanol/PBS.
- Single and multiple pulse electroporation protocols were investigated.
- Drug and solvent (ethanol, water) transport across skin were quantified.
Main Results:
- Electroporation significantly increased CSA delivery compared to passive transport.
- Multiple pulse electroporation (25 pulses, 10 ms at 200 V) yielded a sixty-fold increase in CSA delivery.
- CSA primarily remained bound to the skin, with minimal permeation into the receiver compartment.
- Water flux was higher than ethanol flux post-electroporation.
Conclusions:
- Electroporation is a highly effective method for enhancing topical CSA delivery for psoriasis.
- Optimized multiple pulse electroporation protocols can overcome skin barrier limitations.
- Further research is needed to improve full-thickness skin permeation of CSA.