Novel reverse electrodialysis-driven iontophoretic system for topical and transdermal delivery of poorly permeable therapeutic agents

Abstract

Topical and transdermal drug delivery has great potential in non-invasive and non-oral administration of poorly bioavailable therapeutic agents. However, due to the barrier function of the stratum corneum, the drugs that can be clinically feasible candidates for topical and transdermal delivery have been limited to small-sized lipophilic molecules. Previously, we fabricated a novel iontophoretic system using reverse electrodialysis (RED) technology (RED system). However, no study has demonstrated its utility in topical and/or transdermal delivery of poorly permeable therapeutic agents. In this study, we report the topical delivery of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)–hyaluronic acid (FITC–HA) and vitamin C and the transdermal delivery of lopinavir using our newly developed RED system in the in vitro hairless mouse skin and in vivo Sprague–Dawley rat models. The RED system significantly enhanced the efficiency of topical HA and vitamin C and transdermal lopinavir delivery. Moreover, the efficiency and safety of transdermal delivery using the RED system were comparable with those of a commercial ketoprofen patch formulation. Thus, the RED system can be a potential topical and transdermal delivery system for various poorly bioavailable pharmaceuticals including HA, vitamin C, and lopinavir.

Keywords:

• Reverse electrodialysis
• iontophoresis
• transdermal delivery
• topical delivery
• vitamin C
• hyaluronic acid
• lopinavir

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Korean government (MSIP) (Nos. 2009-0083533 and NRF-2017R1D1A3B03030252).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

National Research Foundation of Korea10.13039/501100003725

MSIP10.13039/5011000040832009-00835332017R1D1A3B03030252

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Korean government (MSIP) (Nos. 2009-0083533 and NRF-2017R1D1A3B03030252).