Enhanced chlorhexidine skin penetration with eucalyptus oil.
BACKGROUND
Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) is a widely used skin antiseptic, however it poorly penetrates the skin, limiting its efficacy against microorganisms residing beneath the surface layers of skin. The aim of the current study was to improve the delivery of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) when used as a skin antiseptic.


METHODS
Chlorhexidine was applied to the surface of donor skin and its penetration and retention under different conditions was evaluated. Skin penetration studies were performed on full-thickness donor human skin using a Franz diffusion cell system. Skin was exposed to 2% (w/v) CHG in various concentrations of eucalyptus oil (EO) and 70% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The concentration of CHG (μg/mg of skin) was determined to a skin depth of 1500 μm by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).


RESULTS
The 2% (w/v) CHG penetration into the lower layers of skin was significantly enhanced in the presence of EO. Ten percent (v/v) EO in combination with 2% (w/v) CHG in 70% (v/v) IPA significantly increased the amount of CHG which penetrated into the skin within 2 min.


CONCLUSIONS
The delivery of CHG into the epidermis and dermis can be enhanced by combination with EO, which in turn may improve biocide contact with additional microorganisms present in the skin, thereby enhancing antisepsis.
Karpanen
Tarja J
TJ
Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, UK.
Conway
Barbara R
BR
Worthington
Tony
T
Hilton
Anthony C
AC
Elliott
Tom S J
TS
Lambert
Peter A
PA
D019840:2-Propanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005052:Eucalyptus; D000078122:Eucalyptus Oil; D006801:Humans; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004337:Drug Carriers; C511306:Eucalyptus terpene oil; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D000078122:Eucalyptus Oil; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D019840:2-Propanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine