• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.49-57
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• 1994

The objective of this study was to determine whether Pz-peptide, an enhancer of hydrophilic solute permeability in the intestine, could elevate the paracellular permeability of the cornea and conjunctiva in the pigmented rabbit. The in vitro penetration of four hydrophilic solutes, mannitol (MW 182), fluorescein (MW 376), FD-4 (FITC-dextran, 4 KDa), and FD-10 (FITC-dextran, 10 KDa) across the pigmented rabbit cornea and conjunctiva was studied either in the presence or absence of 3 mM enhancers. Drug penetration was evaluated using the modified Ussing chamber. The conjunctiva was more permeable than the cornea to all four markers. EDTA and cytochalasin B showed higher effects on marker transport than Pz-peptide, but Pz-peptide elevated the corneal transport of mannitol, fluoresein, and FD-4 by 50%, 26%, and 50%, respectively, without affecting FD-10 transport. Possibly due to the leakier nature of the conjunctiva, 3 mM Pz-peptide elevated the transport of only FD-4 by about 45%, without affecting the transport of other markers. Furthermore, the transport of Pz-peptide itself across the cornea and conjunctiva increased with increasing concentration in the 1-5 mM range, suggesting that Pz-peptide enhanced its own permeability, possibly by elevating paracellular permeability. Effects of ion transport inhibitors on Pz-peptide transport were then investigated. PZ-peptide penetration was not changed by mucosal addition of $10\;{\mu}M$ amiloride or $10\;{\mu}M$ hexamethylene amiloride, inhibiting serosal $Na^{+}$ exit by $100\;{\mu}M$ ouabain, or replacing $Na^{+}$ with choline chloride in the mucosal side buffer. These results seggested that Pz-peptide enhanced the paracellular permeability of rabbit cornea and conjunctiva and further indicate that ion transporters were not involved in the Pz-peptide induced elevation of paracellular marker permeability.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 1999

Clenbuterol, a selective ${\beta}_2-adrenergic$ receptor stimulant, has been introduced as a potent bronchodilator for patients with bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema. For the purpose of developing a transdermal preparation for clenbuterol, we attempted to select an optimal solvent system and permeation enhancer among fatty acids and fatty alcohols which are known to accelerate the penetration of various drugs in permeation experiments using hairless mouse skin and Franz diffusion cell. Apparent partition coefficient of clenbuterol was increased as pH of buffer solution was increased and solubility of clenbuterol was increased as the percent of propylene glycol(PG) in buffer solution(pH 10) was increased. Permeability of clenbuterol from different buffer(pH 10)/PG solvent mixtures was decreased as the percent of PG in pH 10 buffer solution was increased and among the various enhancers studied, lauryl alcohol was found to be the most effective enhancer, increasing the permeability of clenbuterol approximately 76-fold compared with control. Lauryl alcohol$(0{\sim}2%)$ enhanced the permeability of clenbuterol concentration-dependently. In this study, the optimal solvent system for the penetration of clenbuterol was found to be 50/50 buffer(pH 10)/PG solvent mixture containing 2% lauryl alcohol.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.106-110
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• 2010

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ambroxol, an expectoration improver and mucolytic agent, were studied to determine the feasibility of enhanced transdermal delivery of ambroxol from the ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) matrix system containing polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether as an enhancer in rats. The ambroxol-010 matrix system (15 mg/kg) was applied to abdominal skin of rats. Blood samples were collected via the femoral artery for 28 hrs and the plasma concentrations of ambroxol were determined by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using Lagran method computer program. The area under the curve (AUC) was significantly higher in the enhancer group ($1,678{\pm}1,413.3\;ng/ml{\cdot}hr$) than that in the control group $1,112{\pm}279\;ng/ml{\cdot}hr$), that is treated transdermally without enhancer, showing about 151% increased bioavailability (p<0.05). The average $C_{max}$ was increased in the enhancer group ($86.0{\pm}21.5\;ng$/ml) compared with the control group ($59.0{\pm}14.8\;ng$/ml). The absolute bioavailability was 13.9% in the transdermal control group, 21.1% in the transdermal enhancer group and 18.1% in the oral administration group compared with the IV group. The $T_{max}$, $K_a$, MRT and $t_{1/2}$ of ambroxol in transdermal enhancer group were increased significantly (p<0.01) compared to those of oral administration. As the ambroxol-EVA matrix containing polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether and tributyl citrate was administered to rats via the transdermal routes, the relative bioavailability increased about 1.51-fold compared to the control group, showing a relatively constant, sustained blood concentration. The results of this study show that ambroxol-EVA matrix could be developed as a transdermal delivery system providing sustained plasma concentration.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.347-354
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• 2011

Repeated oral administration of loxoprofen can induce many side effects such as gastric disturbances and acidosis. Therefore, we considered alternative routes of administration for loxoprofen to avoid such adverse effects. The aim of this study was to develop an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) matrix system containing a permeation enhancer for enhanced transdermal delivery of loxoprofen. The EVA matrix containing loxoprofen was fabricated and the effects of drug concentration, temperature, enhancer and plasticizer on drug release were studied from the loxoprofen-EVA matrix. The solubility of loxoprofen was highest at 40% (v/v) PEG 400. The release rate of drug from drug-EVA matrix increased with increased loading dose and temperature. The release rate was proportional to the square root of loading dose. The activation energy (Ea), which was measured from the slope of log P versus 1000/T, was 5.67 kcal/mol for a 2.0% loaded drug dose from the EVA matrix. Among the plasticizer used, diethyl phthalate showed the highest release rate of loxoprofen. Among the enhancers used, polyoxyethylene 2-oleyl ether showed the greatest enhancing effect. In conclusion, for the enhanced controlled transdermal delivery of loxoprofen, the application of the EVA matrix containing plasticizer and penetration enhancer could be useful in the development of a controlled drug delivery system.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.337-341
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• 1999

We have studied the stability and transdennal flux of prostaglandin $E_1\;(PGE_1)$ from various donor solutions through hairless mouse skin. Stability in HEPES buffer or in propylene glycol (PG) solution where enhancer (oleic acid (OA), propylene glycol monolaurate (PGML), transcutol (TC), ethanol (EtOH))s dissolved was investigated. $$PGE_1 was not stable in HEPES buffer. The concentration of $$PGE_1 decreased continuously for 7 days, and the degradation rate constant was $0.0028\;h^{-1}$, assuming first order reaction. The effect of current or penetration enhancer on the degradation was minimal. Percutaneous transport from HEPES buffer by passive or iontophoretic delivery without enhancer was close to nil. When OA or PGML was used together with PG, both passive and iontophoretic flux increased. PGML showed better enhancing effect than OA. Flux by cathodal delivery was about 2 times larger than that by passive delivery. Flux by anodal delivery was lower than that by passive delivery. TC and EtOH also increased the transdermal flux, but the effect was not as good as that observed when OA or PGML was used. These stability and flux data provide important information on how to formulate the patch, which will be the next step of this work, and on the polarity of current to use during iontophoresis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.928-933
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• 2006

Percutaneous delivery of NSAIDs has advantages of avoiding hepatic first pass effect and delivering the drug for extended period of time at a sustained, concentrated level at the inflammation site that mainly acts at the joint and the related regions. To develop the new topical formulations of pranoprofen that have suitable bioadhesion, the gel was formulated using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and poloxamer 407. The effects of temperature on drug release was performed at $32^{\circ}C$, $37^{\circ}C$ and $42^{\circ}C$ according to drug concentration of 0.04%, 0.08%, 0.12%, 0.16%, and 0.2% (w/w) using synthetic cellulose membrane at $37{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$. The increase of temperature showed the increased drug release. The activation energy (Ea), which were calculated from the slope of lop P versus 1000/T plots was 11.22 kcal/ mol for 0.04%, 10.79 kcal/mol for 0.08%, 10.41 kcal/mol for 0.12% and 8.88 kcal/mol for 0.16% loading dose from the pranoprofen gel. To increase the drug permeation, some kinds of penetration enhancers such as the ethylene glycols, the propylene glycols, the glycerides, the non-ionic surfactants and the fatty acids were incorporated in the gel formulation. Among the various enhancers used, propylene glycol mono laurate showed the highest enhancing effects with the enhancement factor of 2.74. The results of this study suggest that development of topical gel formulation of pranoprofen containing an enhancer is feasible.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.357-363
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• 2011

In relieving local pains, ropivacaine has been widely used. In case of their application such as ointments and creams, it is difficult to expect their effects for a significant period of time, because they are easily removed by wetting, movement and contacting. Therefore, the new formulations that have suitable bioadhesion were needed to enhance local anesthetic effects. The effect of drug concentration and temperature on drug release was studied from the prepared 1.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (150MC) gels using synthetic cellulose membrane at $37{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$. As the drug concentration and temperature increased, the drug release increased. A linear relationship was observed between the logarithm of the permeability coefficient and the reciprocal temperature. The activation energy of drug permeation was 3.16 kcal/mol for a 1.5% loading dose. To increase the skin permeation of ropivacaine from CMC gel, enhancers such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, pyrrolidones, propylene glycol derivatives, glycerides, and non-ionic surfactants were incorporated into the ropivacaine-CMC gels. Among the enhancers used, polyoxyethylene 2-oleyl ether showed the highest enhancing effects. For the efficacy study, the anesthetic action of the formulated ropivacaine gel containing an enhancer and vasoconstrictor was evaluated with the tail-flick analgesimeter. According to the rat tail-flick test, 1.5% drug gels containing polyoxyethylene 2-oleyl ether and tetrahydrozoline showed the best prolonged local analgesic effects. In conclusion, the enhanced local anesthetic gels containing penetration enhancer and vasoconstrictor could be developed using the bioadhesive polymer.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.321-329
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• 2006

Albuterol, a selective ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor stimulant, has been introduced as a potent bronchodilator for patients with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive bronchial disease, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema. The percutaneous permeation of albuterol sulfate was investigated in hairless mouse skin in vitro with and without pretreatment with enhancers. The enhancing effects of ethanol and various penetration enhancers such as terpenes, non-ionic surfactants, pyrrolidones, and fatty acids on the permeation of albuterol sulfate were evaluated using Franz diffusion cells. Among terpenes studied, 1,8-cineole was the most effective enhancer, which increased the permeability of albuterol sulfate approximately 33-fold compared with the control without enhancer pretrement, followed by d-limonene with enhancement ratio of 21.79. 2-Pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid increased the permeability of albuterol sulfate approximately 5.5-fold compared with the control. Other pyrrolidones tested showed only slight permeability enhancing effect with enhancement ratio less than 2.8. Nonionic surfactants showed moderate enhancing effects. Lauric acid increased the permeability of albuterol sulfate approximately 30-fold with decreasing the lag time from 2.85 to 0.64 hr. Oleic acid and linoleic acid showed enhancement ratio of 24.55 and 22.91, respectively. These findings would allow a more rational approach for designing formulations for the transdermal delivery of albuterol sulfate and similar drugs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.357-363
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• 1997

The effects of formulation variables of topical lotion on the skin permeation of ketoprofen were evaluated using excised rat skins. The formulation variables were the amounts of poloxamer 407, drug and ethanol, and penetration enhancers. The Keshary-Chien diffusion cells were used for the diffusion study. The flux of ketoprofen linearly decreased as the concentration of poloxamer increased from 5% to 15% in the preparation, and linearly increased as the amount of drug increased. Penetration enhancers such as fatty acids and fatty alcohols showed markedly enhancing effects at the level of 5%. Among them, the highest flux was shown in linolenic acid. From these results, optimum formula containing 3% ketoprofen, 5% poloxamer 407, 40% ethanol and 5% linolenic acid having the flux of 537.6 $\mu$g/$\textrm{cm}^2$/hr were noted.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.437-443
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• 2009

To develop a topical bioadhesive formulation of clotrimazole for enhanced transdermal delivery, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel containing permeation enhancer was formulated and permeation studies were carried out. The release characteristics of the drug from the gel formulation were examined according to the receptor medium, drug concentration, and temperature. The rate of drug release from the gel increased with increasing drug concentration and temperature. The activation energy (Ea) of drug permeation, which was calculated from the slope of log P versus 1/T plots, was 14.41kcal/mol for a 1%(w/w) loading dose. The enhancer, such as saturated, unsaturated fatty acids, pyrrolidones, propylene glycol derivatives, glycerides, and non-ionic surfactants, were incorporated onto the gels to increase the amount of drug permeation into the skin. Among the enhancers used, polyoxyethylene 2-oleyl ether showed the highest level of enhancement. These results show that clotrimazole gels containing polyoxyethylene 2-oleyl ether could be used for the enhanced transdermal delivery of clotrimazole.