Electroporation-mediated topical delivery of vitamin C for cosmetic applications

It is now medically recognized that sagging skin and other signs of degenerative skin conditions, such as wrinkles and age spots, are caused primarily by oxy-radical damage. Vitamin C (Vit. C), in the form of l-ascorbic acid (Asc), is the one vitamin that can accelerate wound healing, protect fatty...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:BIOELECTROCHEM BIOENERG 1999-05, Vol.48 (2), p.453-461
Main Authors: Zhang, Lei, Lerner, Sheldon, Rustrum, William V, Hofmann, Günter A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Topical
Agents
Ascorbic Acid - administration & dosage
Ascorbic Acid - analysis
Cadaveric experiments
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Collagen
Computer Simulation
Cosmetics
Cream
Crystal suspension
Electric field effects
Electrochemistry
Electroporation
Electroporation-mediated topical delivery
Humans
Iontophoresis
Mathematical models
Medical applications
Models, Biological
Skin
Skin - chemistry
Skin aging
Tissue
Vitamin C
Vitamins
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:It is now medically recognized that sagging skin and other signs of degenerative skin conditions, such as wrinkles and age spots, are caused primarily by oxy-radical damage. Vitamin C (Vit. C), in the form of l-ascorbic acid (Asc), is the one vitamin that can accelerate wound healing, protect fatty tissues from oxidation damage, and play an integral role in collagen synthesis. It is known that the lipid-rich stratum corneum (SC) is a highly resistant barrier to chemical agents penetrating into the skin. This report describes the first feasibility study of electroporation-mediated topical delivery (EMTD) of Asc for potential cosmetic applications. Both a cream formulation (20% Asc) and a crystal suspension (33% Asc) were applied respectively to human cadaver skin and fresh surgical skin. Six exponential pulses at 60 or 100 V and pulse lengths of 2.7–30 ms were selected. EMTD was more effective on fresh human skin than on human cadaver skin. For both skin models, EMTD with cream resulted in a greater enhancement of Vit. C penetration than with suspension. The distribution of electrical fields through the SC, epidermis, and dermis is demonstrated in computer simulation. Assuming that this fresh skin model and certain experimental conditions simulate projected in vivo applications, EMTD of Vit. C may represent an alternative method to ameliorate skin aging.
ISSN:0302-4598
DOI:10.1016/S0302-4598(99)00026-4