Surfactants from Itaconic Acid: Toxicity to HaCaT keratinocytes in vitro, Micellar Solubilization, and Skin Permeation Enhancement of Hydrocortisone

Angela Abruzzo, Nicola Armenise, Federica Bigucci, Teresa Cerchiara, Mireia Broch Gösser, Chiara Samori, Paola Galletti, Emilio Tagliavini, David McAllister Brown, Helinor Jane Johnston, Teresa F Fernandes, Barbara Luppi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)
327 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

One of the most widely used approaches for improving drug permeation across the stratum corneum barrier of the skin is the use of chemical penetration enhancers, such as surfactants. In this study, two anionic surfactants, named C12-OPK and C18-OPK, were synthesized via condensation of itaconic acid and fatty amines, with C12 and C18 alkyl chains, respectively. Assessment of impacts on HaCaT keratinocyte cell viability was used as indicator of their potential to cause skin irritation 24 h post exposure (Alamar Blue assay). The LC50 values of C12-OPK and C18-OPK (144 and 85 mg/L, respectively) were lower than LC50 values of the most used commercial surfactants (e.g. SDS). The effect of different surfactant concentrations (up to ten times the critical micellar concentration, CMC) on hydrocortisone (HC) solubility and permeation through porcine skin was also evaluated. Results showed that drug solubility increased linearly with increasing concentrations of both surfactants, as a consequence of the association between drug and micelles. In vitro permeation results showed that the permeability coefficient increased at surfactant concentrations lower than the CMC. In particular, a higher enhancement effect on drug permeation was obtained with C18-OPK, due to its hydrophobic properties that ensured a more effective HC permeation in comparison to C12-OPK.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9–15
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics
Volume524
Issue number1-2
Early online date27 Mar 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 May 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Surfactants from Itaconic Acid: Toxicity to HaCaT keratinocytes in vitro, Micellar Solubilization, and Skin Permeation Enhancement of Hydrocortisone'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this