In vitro skin models as a tool in optimization of drug formulation.
(Trans)dermal drug therapy is gaining increasing importance in the modern drug development. To fully utilize the potential of this route, it is important to optimize the delivery of active ingredient/drug into/through the skin. The optimal carrier/vehicle can enhance the desired outcome of the therapy therefore the optimization of skin formulations is often included in the early stages of the product development. A rational approach in designing and optimizing skin formulations requires well-defined skin models, able to identify and evaluate the intrinsic properties of the formulation. Most of the current optimization relies on the use of suitable ex vivo animal/human models. However, increasing restrictions in use and handling of animals and human skin stimulated the search for suitable artificial skin models. This review attempts to provide an unbiased overview of the most commonly used models, with emphasis on their limitations and advantages. The choice of the most applicable in vitro model for the particular purpose should be based on the interplay between the availability, easiness of the use, cost and the respective limitations.
Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway, Universitetsveien 57, 9037 Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: goril.flaten@uit.no.
Gøril Eide
GE
Flaten
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: zpalac@pharma.hr.
Zora
Z
Palac
Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway, Universitetsveien 57, 9037 Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: andre.engesland@uit.no.
André
A
Engesland
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: jfilipov@pharma.hr.
Jelena
J
Filipović-Grčić
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: zeljka.vanic@pharma.hr.
Željka
Ž
Vanić
Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway, Universitetsveien 57, 9037 Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: natasa.skalko-basnet@uit.no.
Nataša
N
Škalko-Basnet
D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008954:Models, Biological; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000187:drug effects
D004337:Drug Carriers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
Animal skin; Human skin; In vitro permeation models; Skin therapy; Topical formulations