Penetration enhancers assessed by corneoxenometry.
Chemical enhancers abating the barrier function of the stratum corneum act in a number of ways. Their relative effects in mixtures are notoriously difficult to determine. Corneoxenometry is a bioassay where xenobiotic interactions with corneocytes are assessed using reflectance colorimetry. It was used to evaluate comparatively the effects of ethanol and laurocapram at various dilutions. In addition, a 10% propylene-glycol-based gel supplemented with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, urea and salicylic acid in various concentrations was tested. The relative index or irritancy (RII) was calculated for each formulation. RII is a surrogate marker of lipid removal and disorganization, and of protein denaturation in the stratum corneum. It is likely a good predictor for barrier function alterations and represents a cheap and rapid alternative to animal testing.
Belgian SSTC Research Center 5596, Department of Dermatopathology, University Medical Center of Liège, Belgium.
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V
Goffin
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F
Henry
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Piérard-Franchimont
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GE
Piérard
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010539:Permeability; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D020156:Salicylic Acid; D000111:Acetylcysteine