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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No. 3

Publication Date: June 25, 2023

DOI:10.14738/aivp.113.14907

Peña-Velasco, G., Amador-González, E., Melgoza-Contreras, L. M., & Hernández-Baltazar, E. (2023). Assessment of Topical

Formulations Skin Permeation Using Raman Spectroscopy. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(3). 793-804.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Assessment of Topical Formulations Skin Permeation Using

Raman Spectroscopy

Peña-Velasco, Gabriela

Universidad Autó nóma del Estadó de Mórelós,

Facultad de Farmacia, Cuernavaca, Mórelós

Amador-González, Enrique

Universidad Naciónal Autó nóma de Me xicó,

Facultad de Quí mica, Me xicó

Melgoza-Contreras, Luz María

Universidad Autó nóma Metrópólitana,

Departamentó de Ciencias Bióló gicas, Me xicó

Hernández-Baltazar, Efrén

Universidad Autó nóma del Estadó de Mórelós,

Facultad de Farmacia, Cuernavaca, Mórelós

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

The use of new noninvasive analytical techniques and procedures for the

assessment of topical formulation skin permeation has been a challenge for

pharmaceutics sciences. In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has been limited to

the identification of components inside a sample or unknown substances. In this

work, a handheld Raman spectrometer was used in the follow-up of active

pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in topical formulations. Thus, in combination

with Franz cells and Tape stripping procedures, permeation flux and retained drug

amount in layers of skin were evaluated in hydrogels of lidocaine (LD) and

meloxicam (MX) with myristate isopropyl (IPM). The proposed method allows

lower analysis time, simple operation, collects direct measures of APIs without

preview sample treatment, and avoids the use of solvents in support of eco-friendly.

Diagrama Descripción generada automáticamente

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The obtained results demonstrate the effective use of IPM as a permeation

promotor agent increasing the permeation flux of 59.9 to 72.2 cm/min and 31.8 to

41.0 cm/min for LD and MX hydrogels, respectively. The developed analytical

method by Raman spectroscopy obtained determination coefficients of r2≤ 0.993,

an inter-day precision (repeatibility) of %RSD ≤ 5%, limits of detection (LODs) and

quantification (LOQs) from 0.05 and 0.07 mg/mL, respectively. Finally, the

advantages and limitations of this proposed quantification alternative were

compared with other analytical methods, which could suggest their potential

application and incorporation in standardized guidelines of skin permeation.

Keywords: Raman spectroscopy, hydrogels, skin permeation, lidocaine, meloxicam.

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, portable Raman spectrometers equipment has been further used in the

pharmacy industry for identifying APIs, in real-time monitoring processes, and indirect

quantification of powders [1–3]. In regard to bioanalysis, micro-spectroscopy and Confocal

Raman micro-spectroscopy (CRM) are techniques that dominant to a great number of research

[4–6]. Specifically for the permeation skin studies, until now, cells Franz diffusion with

subsequent analysis for high-resolution liquids chromatographic or ultraviolet spectrometry,

Tape Stripping coupled Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), Skin biopsy, and Suction

blister, have been the mainly used techniques for the assessment permeation flux of API

principles across the skin [7,8]. The majority with limitations such as ethical difficulties, high

cost, variations in skin types (synthetic, animal or human), low reproducibility, laborious and

high consumption time analysis, invasive processes [7,9]. Therefore, the importance of the use

of new techniques that facilitate the assessment of permeation fluxes of APIs in topical

formulations could make an important contribution to the field of pharmaceutic and

cosmetology sciences. The purpose of the present research was the study the application of

portable Raman spectroscopy combined with Franz cells and Tape stripping for assessment

and monitoring permeation flux of two hydrogel formulations. Lidocaine (LD) and meloxicam

hydrogels were used as models of topical pharmaceutical formulations, with IPM as an

enhancer permeation agent.

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

Materials

In all the experiments high purity deionized water was used. Lidocaine hydrochloride

(C14H22N2O · HCl · H2O) and Meloxicam (C14H13N3O4S2) standards were high purity (≥ 98%). For

the preparation of hydrogels, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, glycerin, and IPM were used as

excipients. All the reagents used were purchased from Sigma Aldrich. For the assessment

permeation flux of APIs, HAWP type 0.45μm Millipore nitrocellulose filter and vertical Franz

type diffusion cells were used. LD and MX standards stock solutions were prepared at 100 and

2 mg/mL, respectively. From them and using the corresponding dilution of individual stock

solutions were constructed the calibration curves for the quantification of target analytes and

calculated statical parameters. Table 1 shows the mainly properties of model drugs studied.

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Peña-Velasco, G., Amador-González, E., Melgoza-Contreras, L. M., & Hernández-Baltazar, E. (2023). Assessment of Topical Formulations Skin

Permeation Using Raman Spectroscopy. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(3). 793-804.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.113.14907

Table 1 Properties of model drugs for hydrogel formulations.

Lidocaine Hydrochloride Meloxicam

Molecular weight (g/mol) 270.8 351.4

pka 7.7 4.08

LogP 2.44 3.54

Solubility (mg/mL at 25°C) 50 < 0.1

TPSA (Å2) 32.3 136

LogP = octanol-water partition coefficient, TPSA= Topological Polar Surface Area

Methods

Preparation of Hydrogels:

Two different formulations of LD and MX hydrogels were prepared and evaluated, respectively

(with and without IPM added in them). Table 2 shows the composition of each formulation.

Finally, the prepared hydrogels in an amber glass recipient at room temperature for 24 h before

use were stored. The fabricated hydrogels were labeled as LD and MX for lidocaine and

meloxicam hydrogel, respectively, the formulations with IPM added were identified as LD-IPM

and MX-IPM, respectively.

Table 2 Composition of prepared lidocaine and meloxicam hydrogels formulations.

LD Hydrogel LD-IPM

Hydrogel

MX

Hydrogel

MX-IPM

Hydrogel

Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (2%) * * * *

Glycerin (10%) * * * *

Meloxicam (0.3%) * *

Lidocaine hydrochloride (10%) * *

IPM (1%) * *

Water q.s. 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL

Procedure for the Obtention of Skin Membrane:

Used the test No. 428: Skin absorption: in vitro method from the Guidelines for the Testing of

Chemicals [10], skin from human or animal sources can be used and it is essential that skin is

properly prepared [11]. Pig skin has been reported with similar features to human beings,

making it a suitable animal model for permeation tests [8]. Therefore, excised skin ear pig

dorsal surface was used, purchased from the slaughterhouse in Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.

Briefly, the pig skin membrane was prepared as previously reported [9], a first step of cleaning

with distilled water, for removing traces of dirt, blood, and/or others. The membrane skin was

extracted manually with a scalpel, separating the subcutaneous fatty layer from the skin

(extracting the dermis without subcutaneous tissue) leaving the stratum corneum intact. The

skin membrane obtained and conditioned with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS pH 7.4) was

stóred at −20 °C until use.

Franz Diffusion Cell Permeation Studies:

Vertical Franz-type diffusion cells with an average area and volume of 3.31 cm2 and 24.84 cm3

were used. Therefore, skin pig circular samples of around 3.31 cm2 were placed between the

donor and receiver chamber of a Franz cell, with the stratum corneum facing the donor

chamber. The receptor compartment was filled with 25 ml of phosphate-buffered saline (pH

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7.4), magnetically stirred at 400 rpm, and at 32°C was kept. Later, 500 mg of the test hydrogel

formulation was applied to the skin surface in the donor cell and was sealed with parafilm to

avoid evaporation. The LD and MX permeation flux were monitored for 2 and 6 h, respectively,

taking samples (1 ml) at the desired time intervals and replacing the volume with the same

account of PBS. For comparative purposes, Franz diffusion cell study in synthetic membrane

(HAWP type 0.45μm Millipore nitrocellulose filter) was realized using the same conditions and

equipment previously described. The flux value (Jss) was obtained from the slope of the linear

regression analysis for each experiment. The apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) was

calculated as previous reports [12,13] according to Fick law diffusion, taking initial drug

concentration (C0) using the equation (1):

Papp = Jss⁄C0

Furthermore, the profile concentration by skin deepness was studied by the Tape stripping

technique. At the conclusion of the Franz diffusion cell permeation study, each skin sample was

removed from the donor chamber and the residual drug delivery formulation was carefully

removed. Thus, on the area that was in contact with the formulations, the technique of Tape

stripping was performed as described previously in the literature [13–15]. Fifteen tapes were

used for the remotion of the stratum corneum. Each tape strip was placed on a slide and directly

measured (three points of the surface) by portable Raman spectroscopy (Figure 1) allowing

analysis time ≤ 2 y 10 min fór Franz cells and Tape stripping, respectively. All experiments for

triplicate were carried out.

Fig. 1. Tape stripping in vitro procedure used in this work.

Spectroscopy Analysis Conditions:

The monitoring and quantification of target drugs LD and MX were carried out by Raman

spectroscopy using TruScan Ahura Scientific handheld equipment with laser excitation

wavelength light at 785 ± 0.5 nm in the Raman spectrum range 250 cm-1 to 2875 cm-1, previous

reports associated the use of this type of laser source with fluorescence less effect in biological

samples [4].

As a mentioned preview, for the permeation study, the aliquot was placed in a vial. For Tape

stripping, the strip was placed on a slide. In both cases, the samples without needing added

solvents or calibration steps were directly measured for triplicate.

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Peña-Velasco, G., Amador-González, E., Melgoza-Contreras, L. M., & Hernández-Baltazar, E. (2023). Assessment of Topical Formulations Skin

Permeation Using Raman Spectroscopy. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(3). 793-804.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.113.14907

Statistical Analysis:

The analytical parameters obtained for the developed method were calculated and expressed

with corresponding standard deviations. Finally, permeation data were analyzed by T-student

test at a p-value of 0.05 of significance.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In vitro Permeation Study of LD and MX Hydrogels

Pig skin samples and synthetic membrane (nitrocellulose filters) were used for these

experiments. Figure 2 a) y b) shows results for study in synthetic membrane. The values Papp

were highest for the prepared formulations with IPM added (Table 3), corroborating with

previous reports [16–18] about their activity as an effective permeation promotor. The Papp

calculated from the slope of the drug release curves were 59.9 and 72.2 cm/min for LD

hydrogels and for MX, Papp= 0.48 and 0.61 cm/min, in both cases with and without IPM,

respectively.

Regarding permeation skin experiments, it was obtained the under the same procedure as for

synthetic membranes. The obtained results (Figure 3 a) y b)) show effectively that an increase

in permeation flux was kept in prepared formulations with IPM for both drugs, obtaining 41.0

y 0.473 cm/min Papp values for LD and MX hydrogels, respectively, in comparison with 31.8 y

0.44cm/min for LD and MX hydrogels without IPM. It is important to mention due to despite

the diverse chemical features of LD and MX (mainly Log P, polarity, pka), the IPM allowed the

improvement in permeation through the skin due to having been related to a lower flux through

it keeping drugs in the skin [19]. Moreover, is interesting observe the difference between MX

and LD permeation through the skin, being less facilitated to the first them. Since, as can be seen

in Table 2, the apparent permeability coefficient had an insignificance increase (0.44 to 0.47

cm/min); which could be explained due to its lipophilic character (Log P = 3.43), favoring a

preference to be accumulated through the corneum stratus layers [20]. The effect of the use of

IPM is shown in Table 3, the accumulated account of lidocaine and meloxicam were higher in

all formulations with IPM added.

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350 A)

Qacum(mg/cm

2)

Time (min)

LD-IPM Hydrogel LD Hydrogel

0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360

0

4

8

12

16 B)

Qacum(mg/cm

2)

Time (min)

MX-IPM Hydrogel MX Hydrogel

Fig. 2 In vitro profiles hydrogels permeation of a) LD-10% and b) MX-0.3% using a synthetic

membrane (nitrocellulose filters).

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Table 3 Parameters obtained from In vitro permeation study MX and LD (mean ± SD, n

= 3).

Synthetic Membrane Pig skin Membrane

Formulation Papp

(cm/min)

Qacum

(mg/cm2

)

Formulation Papp

(cm/min)

Qacum

(mg/cm2

)

LD Hydrogel 59.9 ± 0.13 310 ± 0.20 LD Hydrogel 31.8 ± 0.21 207 ± 0.71

LD-IPM

Hydrogel

72.2 ± 0.15 349 ± 0.11 LD-IPM

Hydrogel

41.0 ± 0.12 243 ± 0.32

MX Hydrogel 0.48 ± 0.09 14 ± 0.42 MX Hydrogel 0.44 ± 0.07 9.0 ± 0.37

MX-IPM

Hydrogel

0.61 ± 0.05 15 ± 0.34 MX-IPM

Hydrogel

0.47 ± 0.03 12.0 ± 0.19

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

0

50

100

150

200

250 A)

Qacum(mg/cm

2)

Time (min)

LD-IPM Hydrogel LD Hydrogel

0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360

0

4

8

12

16 B)

Qacum(mg/cm

2)

Time (min)

MX-IPM Hydrogel MX Hydrogel

Fig. 3 In vitro profiles hydrogels permeation of a) LD and b) MX using skin pig membrane.

Tape Stripping Test

Tape stripping (TS) is a simple, low-cost, viable, and minimally invasive technique for the

quantification of pharmaceuticals compounds through the skin, considering layers depth

where they could be found by chemometrics analysis [7,14]. In this work, this technique was

applied separately to the permeation in Franz cells study [21]. Figure 4 a) y b) shows the

obtained results for the Tape stripping test from the MX and LD hydrogels topically applied in

skin pig membranes. The ≥50% amóunt óf accumulated pharmaceutical cómpóunds was

retained in layers of skin for all formulations. As expected, the IPM added hydrogels

formulations show lower drug retention in the corneum stratus layers, corroborating the

obtained results in the Franz cells permeation study. The most interesting of this graphic is

specifically, in the case of MX, a pronounced difference in the retention of the drug in the skin

is observed in the formulation with isopropyl myristate (IPM) compared to the formulation

without it (Qacum with IPM =1.6393 mg vs Qacum without IPM = 2.3756mg), what could be seen

as an opposite effect to the results obtained in Franz cells permeation study, however, could

due to the short exposure time of the hydrogels formulations on skin membranes (2h for TS vs

6h Franz cells, respectively) moreover of lipophilic character of this formulation [22].

Moreover, as mentioned preview, the properties of model drugs are key factor, Table 1 shows

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Peña-Velasco, G., Amador-González, E., Melgoza-Contreras, L. M., & Hernández-Baltazar, E. (2023). Assessment of Topical Formulations Skin

Permeation Using Raman Spectroscopy. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(3). 793-804.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.113.14907

clearly the hydrophilic character of Lidocaine (Kow = 2.44 and higher solubility in water) which

that facilitate their dispersion in the vehicle, moreover lower values of molecular weight (270

vs 351 g/mol for LD and MX, respectively) and topological polar surface area of 32.3 Å2 in

comparison to 136 Å2 of meloxicam, could explain the improve their pass across the layers

skin. Therefore, meloxicam to be an API lipofilic strong API(solubility in water ≤ 0.1) and higher

molecular weight have a highest trend to remain between layers skin, according to obtained

results of TS and Franz cells experiments. In addition, the use of hydrophilic formulation could

be relational with an improvement Tape stripping protocol due to not affecting the adhesion

impairment [22].

A)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Accumulated amount of LD (%)

Ratio of LD with respect applied dosis (mg)

Strip number

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B)

Fig. 4 Tape stripping test results of hydrogels of a) Lidocaine and b) Meloxicam.

(The values are the amount of drug retained in SC and related to drug concentration detected

in each applied tape and analyzed by Raman spectroscopy).

For the LD hydrogels Tape stripping test, no greater difference was observed in the cumulative

amount obtained for both formulations Qacum with IPM = 41.71mg vs Qacum without IPM = 39.57

mg, previous reports associated a greater potentiating effect of IPM in LD formulations in

combination with other permeation promotors agents [23]. However, less amount of LD

retained in the first superficial layers of the skin is observed in the formulation without the

permeation promotor agent, indicating a lower depth of penetration of it, corroborating IPM

function [24]. The tape stripping study shows that 50% of drug models remained between

corneum stratum (SC) layers, being MX the API highest retained for their lipophilic properties

(Table 1).

Analytical Parameters for Drugs Quantification by Raman Spectroscopy

According to USP 43 - 1225, the validation procedure is key for insurance that the developed

quantification method the requirements for its intended analytical applications [25]. The

obtained analytical parameters are present in Table 4. Linearity, precision, recovery, limits of

detection (LOD), and quantification (LOQ) were calculated for Franz cells permeation

experiments.

The developed method was lineal with determination coefficients (r2 ) higher than 0.998, the

range lineal was 75 - 91 and 1 - 2 mg/mL for LD and MX, respectively. Precision (inter-day)

evaluated as reproducibility, lower than 5%, and recovery percentages in the range of 98 -

102% considering a method successful according to established in “Harmonized guidelines for

single laboratory validation of methods of analysis” [26]. To distinguish between these two

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Ratio of MX with respect applied

dosis (mg)

Strip number

Accumulated amount of MX (%)

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Peña-Velasco, G., Amador-González, E., Melgoza-Contreras, L. M., & Hernández-Baltazar, E. (2023). Assessment of Topical Formulations Skin

Permeation Using Raman Spectroscopy. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(3). 793-804.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.113.14907

applications of Raman spectroscopy, the method for the quantification of drugs in Tape

stripping experiments by measuring drugs concentration contained in hydrogel formulations

directly was developed. Table 4 shows indicate also analytical parameters calculated for Tape

stripping test. Coefficients (r2) higher than 0.993, the range lineal was 2 - 10 and 0.05 - 0.03

mg/mL for LD and MX, respectively. Precision (inter-day) evaluated as reproducibility, lower

than 5%, and recovery percentages in the range of 95 - 102%. It is important to note that under

current good validation practice regulations, users of the analytical methods described in the

USP-NF are not required to verify the accuracy and reliability of these methods, but merely to

verify their suitability under actual conditions of use [25]. Therefore, both quantification

methods were satisfactorily developed and applicated to the monitoring of LD and MX through

the skin, demonstrating the potential use of this spectroscopy technique as a viable, eco- friendly, and fast tool for the analysis of dissolved drugs or pharmaceuticals formulations.

Table 4 Analytical parameters for the quantification of MX and LD using portable

Raman spectroscopy (n = 3).

Type

experiment

Franz cells permeation study Tape stripping

LD MX LD MX

Regression

equation

12.622x – 28.714 795.43x + 8.7857 2464.3x – 48.714 62012x +683.9

r

2 0.9992 0.9998 0.9994 0.9936

Linear range

(mg/mL)

75 - 91 1-2 2 – 10 0.05 – 0.3

LOD

(mg/mL)

1.26 0.05 0.16 0.05

LOQ

(mg/mL)

9.99 0.17 0.49 0.07

Precision

(% RSD) *

1.15 1.53 4.9 4.4

Recovery

(%)

99.22 100.46 99.94 100.53

*Calculated at the lowest level of linear range.

Comparison with Conventional Quantification Methods

Interestingly, Raman spectroscopy was observed to allow monitoring of drug permeation in the

skin (according to USP 42) and provide results in accordance with those obtained by

quantification traditional methods. Table 5 shows that the use of this technique yields similar

results that studies carried out with techniques such as ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), and high- resolution liquid chromatography (HPLC).

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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 11, Issue 3, June-2023

Table 5 Comparison of the analytical techniques for quantification of drugs in the

permeation of topically formulations.

Formulation

Type

Drug Instrumental

Technique

Sample

Preparation

(Solvents

added)

Test Analysis

Time

(min)

Ref

Cream,

ointment.

Fludrocortisone

and Diclofenac

sodium

HPLC Yes:

Mobile phase

Extraction of

drug from

tape

Tape

stripping

39 [19]

Hydrogels Diclofenac HPLC Yes:

Mobile phase

Extraction of

drug from

tape

Tape

stripping

67 [2]

Hydrogels and

organogels

Meloxicam UV-Vis

Spectroscopy

Blanks used

(placebo gel)

Franz cells NR [10]

Hydrogels Meloxicam

and Lidocaine

Portable

Spectroscopy

Raman

None Tape

stripping

Franz cells

10

and

2

This work

NR= Not reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The present research confirmed the successful use of a portable Raman spectrometer for

monitoring the skin permeation of two hydrogel formulations. The use of advanced techniques

could represent an alternative for the development and analysis of new topical formulations.

Thus, the developed protocol designed in this work allowed the monitoring and quantification

of lidocaine and meloxicam, two active pharmaceutical ingredients with different polarity in

addition to IPM as an enhancer permeation inside of topical formulation. These experiments

confirmed that lidocaine showed a higher and facilitated permeation across the skin could

suggest their systemic action. Instead, meloxicam was higher retained (around 83%) between

the SC layers being a better candidate drug for local action. Also, the use of IPM increased the

permeation flux of both drugs, and their incorporation in hydrogels formulation was not

affected the topical formulation analysis by Raman spectroscopy. Finally, one of the more

significant findings to emerge from this study is an easy, fast, low-cost, and non-invasive

method with huge potential for monitoring skin permeation drugs by use of portable Raman

spectroscopy. Considerably more work will need to be done to determine its capability or

effectiveness in detecting APIs in topical formulations and incorporating them into guidelines

by the regulatory agencies.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the financial support from IIQUIAP FROM PROINNOVA 0154498. Peña- Velasco G. acknowledges to the CONACyT-México for the scholarship support CVU 588460.

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