Testosterone Ethosomes for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery

Figures & data

FIG. 1. HPLC chromatogram of 25 μg/ml testosterone in ethanol: water (1:1) solution.

FIG. 2. Size distribution of ethosomal vesicles containing 1% testosterone measured by DLS.

FIG. 3. TE micrograph of a testosterone ethosomal vesicle.

TABLE 1 Solubility of testosterone in various receiver solutions

Solvent	Solubility at 20°C (mg/ml)	Solubility at 37°C (mg/ml)
Water	Practically insoluble (< 0.1)	—
20% hydroethanolic solution	0.248	0.344
20% ethanol in phosphate buffer	0.224	0.303
50% hydroethanolic solution	6.763	10.766
0.5% Brij 98 aqueous solution	0.057	0.084
6.0% Brij 98 aqueous solution	0.169	0.194

*Reynolds, J. 1996. Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 31st ed. London: Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

FIG. 4. CLS micrograph skin optical sections showing fluorescein sodium penetration from aqueous solution into human skin. Receiver compartment containing (A) 50% hydroethanolic solution or (B) water.

FIG. 5. Testosterone skin permeation profiles in vitro through human skin from ethosomal formulation versus AndroGel (mean ± S.E.M.). Each donor contains 1% testosterone.