Iontophoresis of lecithin vesicles of cyclosporin A

Int J Pharm. 2004 Apr 15;274(1-2):185-90. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2004.01.016.

Abstract

Site-specific immunosuppression with topical cyclosporin A (CsA) has broad clinical implications in the treatment of skin disorders like psoriasis, pyoderma gangrenosum, lichen planus, cutaneous graft-versus-host disease and contact hypersensitivity and the temporary treatment of skin allografts on burn wounds. However, like any other peptide drug, its skin delivery is hindered by the barrier property of stratum corneum and the physicochemical properties of CsA. We have attempted to deliver CsA across human cadaver epidermis in vitro using colloidal systems like microemulsion and lecithin vesicles and iontophoresis. Although, passive diffusion did not result in permeation of quantifiable amounts of CsA, anodal iontophoresis of the negatively charged colloidal systems facilitated the permeation. Electroosmosis and compromised epidermis might have contributed to the higher skin flux. Lecithin vesicles were better than microemulsion for the iontophoretic delivery of CsA and appear to have potential in site-specific immunosuppression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Iontophoresis / methods*
  • Phosphatidylcholines / administration & dosage
  • Phosphatidylcholines / pharmacokinetics*
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Tissue Banks

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Cyclosporine