John M. Haigh

Effect of Concentration and Degree of Saturation of Topical Fluocinonide Formulations on In Vitro Membrane Transport and In Vivo Availability on Human Skin

AbstractPurpose. The thermodynamic acitvity of drugs in topical vehicles is considered to significantly influence topical delivery. In vitro diffusion across a synthetic membrane was shown to be correlated to the degree of saturation of the drug in the applied vehicle and therefore offers a potential for increased topical drug delivery. Fluocinonide a topical corticosteroid, was chosen as a model compound to investigate in vitro and in vivo availability from formulations with different degrees of saturation. Methods. Sub-, as well as, supersaturated drug solutions were prepared using PVP as an antinucleant agent. In vitro membrane diffusion experiments across silicone membrane and in vivo pharmacodynamic activity assessments, using the human skin blanching assay, were carried out. Results. Over the concentration range studied, the in vitro membrane transport of fluocinonide was proportional to the degree of saturation of the respective formulations. The in vivo pharmacodynamic response in the human skin blanching assay was related to the concentration of the drug in the vehicle irrespective of the degree of saturation. Conclusions. From the membrane permeation experiment it can be concluded, that the drug flux might be increased supra-proportionally with increasing donor concentration, drug (super-)saturation (proportional), beyond what would be anticipated based on ideal donor concentration and partition coefficient considerations only. These findings could not be confirmed in the in vivo investigation, probably due to additional vehicle effects (e.g., enhancement, irritation, drug binding) which have to be expected and could have altered the integrity of the stratum corneum and therewith topical bioavailability of the drug.

The selection and use of natural and synthetic membranes for in vitro diffusion experiments

Abstract The following membranes are discussed: human skin; animal models (including mouse, hairless mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, monkey, pig, shed snake skin, egg-shell membrane, and synthetic stratum corneum); and synthetic membranes (including cellulose media, filter membranes, and synthetic polymers). Membrane integrity and diffusive characteristics are also considered.

Evaluation of the proposed FDA pilot dose-response methodology for topical corticosteroid bioequivalence testing

AbstractPurpose. The American FDA has recently released a Guidance document for topical corticosteroid bioequivalence testing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the recommendations of this document for appropriateness. The new specifications require a dose-vasoconstriction response estimation by the use of a Minolta chromameter in a preliminary pilot study to determine the parameters for use in a pivotal bioequivalence study. Methods. The visually-assessed human skin blanching assay methodology routinely practiced in our laboratories was modified to comply with the requirements of the pilot study so that visual and chromameter data could be compared. Two different cream formulations, each containing 0.12% betamethasone 17-valerate, were used for this comparison. Results. Visual data showed the expected rank order of AUC values for most dose durations whereas the chromameter data did not show similar results. The expected rank order of AUC values for both chromameter and visual data was not observed at very short dose durations. In fitting the data to pharmacodynamic models, equivalent goodness of fit criteria were obtained when several different parameter estimates were used in the model definition, however the visual data were best described by the sigmoid Emax model while the chromameter data were best described by the simple Emax model. Conclusions. The Emax values predicted by the models were close to the observed values for both data sets and, in addition, excellent correlation between the AUC values and the maximum blanching response (Rmax) (r > 0.95) was noted for both methods of assessment. The chromameter ED50 values determined in this study were approximately 2 hours for both preparations. At this dose duration the instrument would not be sensitive enough to distinguish between weak blanching responses and normal skin for bioequivalence assessment purposes.

Foam Drug Delivery in Dermatology

Consumers of topical formulations apply a wide spectrum of preparations, both cosmetic and dermatological, to their healthy or diseased skin. These formulations range in physicochemical nature from solid through semisolid to liquid.Pharmaceutical foams are pressurized dosage forms containing one or more active ingredients that, upon valve actuation, emit a fine dispersion of liquid and/or solid materials in a gaseous medium. Foam formulations are generally easier to apply, are less dense, and spread more easily than other topical dosage forms. Foams may be formulated in various ways to provide emollient or drying functions to the skin, depending on the formulation constituents. Therefore, this delivery technology should be a useful addition to the spectrum of formulations available for topical use; however, as yet, only a few are commercially available. Probably the most convincing argument for the use of foams is ease of use by the patient, and consumer acceptance. Most foam dosage forms used in dermatology to date have incorporated corticosteroids, although some products have also been used to deliver antiseptics, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory agents, local anesthetic agents, skin emollients, and protectants.Although there is no clinical evidence that foam formulations are currently superior to other conventional delivery vehicles, these formulations have a clear application advantage and with continued developments in the science of supersaturation technology, it seems certain that foam delivery systems will retain their place in the dermatological and cosmetic armamentarium.

In vitro permeation of progesterone from a gel through the shed skin of three different snake species

Abstract The in vitro diffusion of progesterone from a gel formulation using the European Pharmacopoeia method for transdermal dosage forms is described. The membranes used were the dorsal and ventral portions of the shed skin of three different species of snake. Considerable differences are apparent between the dorsal and ventral sites and between the different species of snake. The dorsal area shows better permeability for progesterone and the permeability order for the different species is python>cobra>viper. These differences may be due to the thickness of the skin and the hinge:scale ratio. The results indicate that shed snake skin is not a model membrane for human skin.

A stability-indicating HPLC assay with on-line clean-up for betamethasone 17-valerate in topical dosage forms

Abstract A stability-indicating high-performance liquid Chromatographic method with on-line clean-up has been developed for the analysis of betamethasone 17-valerate in topical dosage forms. A short pre-column containing 10 μm octadecylsilane mounted into the sample loop position of an injection valve was used as the primary clean-up step. The utilization of a diode-array UV detector allowed the quantitative analysis of betamethasone 17-valerate together with its degradation product, betamethasone 21-valerate, as well as the qualitative analysis of these compounds, relevant internal standards and the preservatives chlorocresol and methyl hydroxybenzoate contained in the cream and lotion formulations, respectively. Typically, cream and lotion dosage forms were dissolved in acetonitrile and ointments in tetrahydrofuran, internal standards added and aliquots injected onto the analytical system. Dosage form excipients were retained on the loop column and back-flushed to waste with the aid of a second solvent pump while components of interest were allowed to transfer to the analytical column for quantitative analysis. The method is accurate, precise and stability indicating and permits the rapid on-line analysis of betamethasone 17-valerate from complex topical formulation matrices without prior extractions.

Comparison of the blanching activities of dermovate betnovate and eumovate creams and ointments

Abstract The human skin blanching assay was used to determine the blanching activities of Dermovate, Betnovate and Eumovate creams and ointments. Dermovate was found to elicit a superior blanching response to Betnovate which in turn elicited a superior blanching response to Eumovate, except in the comparison of Betnovate and Eumovate ointments under occlusion. The importance of employing the correct methodology of the blanching assay is emphasized and the good correlation between the results of this study and clinical trials is indicated.

The human skin blanching assay for in vivo topical corticosteroid assessment: I. Reproducibility of the assay

The human skin blanching (vasoconstriction) assay for the assessment of topical corticosteroids has been in use for over 30 years, the intensity of the drug-induced blanching being assessed subjectively by eye. Both arms of several male and female volunteers are used for product application and more than one observer is used to estimate the degree of induced blanching. There are, therefore, numerous variables which are inherent in the assay procedure. This investigation consisted of three identical trials performed at 8-week intervals, utilising the same 18 volunteers and the same three observers in an attempt to address the question of reproducibility of the assay. From the results obtained it is clear that the assay methodology is capable of consistently distinguishing, on a rank order basis, between preparations which show similar blanching (chemically-equivalent formulations). The similarity of the results for the three individual trials gives considerable confidence to results produced using this methodology. An experiment designed to test the reproducibility of the blanching scores showed that the observers are capable of producing identical results even though visual observation is highly subjective.

Sensitivity of different areas of the flexor aspect of the human forearm to corticosteroid‐induced skin blanching

Summary The intensity of corticosteroid‐induced blanching has been found to vary at different areas of the flexor aspect of the human forearm. A retrospective analysis of 38,880 observations of skin blanching in 56 volunteers was conducted to assess the sensitivity of forearm skin to betamethasone 17‐valerate. The mid‐forearm appears to be more sensitive to the blanching response than do the areas close to the wrist or elbow. These results indicate that each preparation under evaluation should be applied to several sites along the forearm when using the human skin blanching assay in order to obtain an accurate comparative assessment of corticosteroid release from topical delivery vehicles.

Analysis of chromameter results obtained from corticosteroid-induced skin blanching assay: comparison of visual and chromameter data

In a Guidance document, the American FDA recommends the use of a Minolta chromameter rather than the human eye for the quantitative assessment of the pharmacodynamic blanching response produced by topical application of corticosteroids. The purpose of this study was to compare the appropriateness of the human eye and two models of chromameter for the estimation of skin blanching, in terms of the quality of the data generated by each method. The corticosteroid-induced skin blanching from four different betamethasone 17-valerate cream formulations was compared in a typical human skin blanching trial. The optimized assay methodology routinely practised in our laboratories was utilized. The blanching responses were assessed visually by three trained, independent observers and recorded by two chromameters (Minolta model CR-200 and model CR-300). The topical availability of the four creams was determined using visual scoring and chromameter measurements. All data were manipulated in such a manner as to produce a blanching response versus time profile from which AUBC analysis could be performed. Good correlation was observed between the visual assessments made by three independent observers. In contrast, moderate correlation was determined between visual, CR-200 and CR-300 measurements. Surprisingly, no direct linear relationship between the AUBCs produced by the two chromameters was observed indicating that the quality of the data obtained from the two instruments may not be equal. This investigation also indicated that the use of the chromameter is not completely objective. Visual scoring and chromameter measurement produce data sets that differ in quality. Each procedure needs to be validated and investigators have to be trained for both visual assessment and the operation of the chromameter, particularly with regard to the manipulation of the measuring head of the instrument.