The penetration of topically applied ointment containing hyaluronic acid in rabbit tissues

Abstract

The properties of hyaluronic acid used for treatment of acute and chronic joint disease are known for many years and this compound is widely used both in humans and animals.To obtain a therapeutic effect of a certain drug, the appropriate concentration in the target organ or tissue is important. The application of labeled compounds is one of the frequently applied techniques to estimate drug penetration into the skin and other body tissues or organs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the penetration of hyaluronic acid labeled with I-131 through the skin and its distribution within the knee joint and other internal organs in rabbits after a topical application of an ointment containing hyaluronic acid.The experiment was performed on 22 albino rabbits divided into control and examined groups. Fifteen rabbits were exposed to the multicomponent ointment containing hyaluronic acid labeled with I-131. Time of exposure was 48 hours.Hyaluronate penetrated to a high degree into the examined tissues. No significant differences in terms of leg tissue activity were observed between a leg tissue exposed to labeled ointment and that unexposed, suggesting that after topical administration, the active component of the ointment is delivered to the joint via the blood stream.Hyaluronate applied topically penetrates through the skin into the rabbit tissues and organs and into the joint fluid of both legs (exposed and not exposed). This route of administration seems to be useful for this drug delivery and allows to avoid unnecessary side effects.

Interactions of Hyaluronic Acid with the Skin and Implications for the Dermal Delivery of Biomacromolecules

“…There are several hypotheses how HA acts as a skin penetration enhancer. Some publications discuss that HA itself penetrates ,− and cotransports the drug into the skin . Our FRET-FLIM experiments indeed revealed a close proximity between HA and BSA (Figure ) under the conditions of penetration enhancement.…”

“…Since several publications discuss that HA itself penetrates ,− and cotransports drugs into the skin and into deeper dermal layers, we aimed to test this hypothesis. To determine whether colocalization of HA and BSA in terms of molecular contact between these two molecules in the skin exists, we used FRET .…”