• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.359-364
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• 2007

Pine bark extract is well-known as a very powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic material. French maritime pine bark extract ($Pycnogenol^{(R)}$) of Horphag Research has monopolized the world market over 30 years. Korean red pine bark extract ($Pinexol^{(R)}$) was first manufactured by the patent technology of NutraPharm in Korea in 2006. Feasibility of topical gel and patch formulations of Pinexol was systematically investigated by evaluating the skin absorption of catechin as a reference compound. In vitro hairless mouse skin absorption of catechin from gel formulation was higher than that from patches. However, significant amount of catechin was also deposited inside the skin from patch formulations, which were dependent on the types of pressure sensitive adhesives. Thus, it seems to be feasible to control the topical delivery of Pinexol by using both gel and patch formulations, and be necessary to conduct further systematic investigation.