The effect of non-invasive dermal electroporation on skin barrier function and skin permeation in combination with different dermal formulations

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of non-invasive dermal electroporation (EP) on the barrier function of the skin and on the permeation of a model macromolecule in combination with different dermal formulations. Skin samples were treated with non-invasive dermal EP treatment for 2 min. Firstly, the effect of EP on the barrier function of the skin was examined on mouse skin in vivo by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Then, the effect of EP on human skin permeation was investigated ex vivo under a fluorescence microscope in combination with different dermal formulations. The human skin was treated with a solution, a hydrogel, and a film-forming system (FFS) containing 4 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran) with or without EP. The increased fluorescence intensity shows the presence of FITC-dextran in the skin layers. The results showed, that the TEWL values increased rapidly after the treatment, and it took approximately 5 min to be restored. The results of permeation experiments showed that just slight permeation of FITC-dextran could be noticed from any formulation without EP; however, the permeation from the solution and the FFS increased highly in combination with EP. The EP decreased the barrier function of the skin reversibly and the structure of SC was restored in a short time after the treatment. FITC-dextran, as a macromolecule, can just slightly permeate into the skin with passive diffusion. EP could increase the permeation rate of FITC-dextran remarkably compared to the control treatments; however, the composition of the formulations has a great influence on the permeation. [Display omitted] •The non-invasive dermal electroporation has a reversible effect on the skin barrier function, the SC barrier is restored in a short time after the in vivo treatment•The permeation enhancer effect of electroporation on a model macromolecule is measured with fluorescence microscopy•Electroporation increased the permeation of the macromolecule remarkably from the different formulations•The composition of the formulation has a great influence on the permeation