Hydrocortisone Diffusion Through Synthetic Membrane, Mouse Skin, and Epiderm™ Cultured Skin

Abstract

Objectives. The penetration of hydrocortisone (HC) from six topical over-the-counter products along with one prescription cream through cultured normal human-derived epidermal keratinocytes (Epiderm™), mouse skin and synthetic nylon membrane was performed as well as the effect hydrating the skin by pre-washing was explored using the Upright Franz Cell. Method and Results. Permeation of HC through EpiDerm™, mouse skin and synthetic membrane was highest with the topical HC gel formulation with prewash treatment of the membranes among seven products evaluated, 198±32μg/cm2, 746.32±12.43μg/cm2, and 1882±395.18μg/cm2, respectively. Pre-washing to hydrate the skin enhanced HC penetration through EpiDerm™ and mouse skin. The 24-hour HC released from topical gel with prewash treatment was 198.495±32μg/cm2 and 746.32±12.43μg/cm2 while without prewash, the 24-h HC released from topical gel was 67.2±7.41μg/cm2 and 653.43±85.62μg/cm2 though EpiDerm™ and mouse skin, respectively. HC penetration through synthetic membrane was ten times greater than through mouse skin and EpiDerm™ Generally, the shape, pattern, and rank order of HC diffusion from each commercial product was similar through each membrane. © 2011, Archives of Drug Information.