Aim: To investigate the transdermal delivery effects of cyclosporine A solubilized in mixed micelles composed of phospholipid and different surfactants.
Methods: When applied onto the excised abdominal skin of the mice occlusively, the enhancing effects of various mixed micelles on the penetration of cyclosporin A were assessed by an in vitro permeation technique. In vivo study was carried out by topical application of sodium cholate-phospholipid mixed micelles onto the mice skin and drug blood concentration was detected.
Results: In vitro, mixed micelles containing different surfactants displayed distinct permeability and corresponded to the following order: sodium cholate > sodium deoxycholate > Trition X-100 > Tween-20. In vivo, peak drug concentration was detected at 5 h and after that the concentration fell down slowly.
Conclusion: Mixed micelles were shown to be efficient carrier for the transdermal delivery of the lipophilic polypeptide when kept in solution during the application process.