Study on the Release Rate, in Vitro Skin Penetration and Retention of Tretinoin Ascorbyl Palmitate Vesicles

OBJECTIVE To study the release rate, in vitro skin penetration and retention of tretinoin when use ascorbyl palmitate vesicles as its carrier. METHODS The in vitro release rate of tretinoin from carrier was determined by Franz diffusion cell. Between donor compartment and receptor compartment was cellulose membrane(cut-off molecules 8 000-14 000), the avaiable diffusion area of cell was 2.92 cm². In the in vitro skin penetration experiment, the back skin of mouse, rats or rabbits was used instead of cellulose membrane. After in vitro skin penetration experiment, the skin were taken down from cells, cut and homogenated, and then extracted by 50% isopropanol-normal saline. The extracting solution was analyzed by HPLC after treatment. RESULTS The result indicated higher levels of in vitro drug release rate, in vitro tretinoin cumulative penetration quantity and skin retention quantity in ascorbyl palmitate vesicles than cream on sale. CONCLUSION Ascorbyl palmitate vesicles as transdermal administration carrier for tretinoin could increase local concentration of drug.