Estudo de permeação cutânea “in vitro” de micropartículas poliméricas contendo adapaleno por espectroscopia fotoacústica

Abstract

Adapalene (ADAP) is an important drug widely used in topical treatment of acne. It is a third generation retinoid and provides keratolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseborrhoic action. However, some topical adverse effects such as erythema, dryness, and scaling have been reported with its commercial formula. In this sense, the microencapsulation of this drug using polyesters can circumvent its topical side effects and can lead to the enhancement of drug delivery into sebaceous glands. The goal of this work was to obtain ADAP-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microparticles prepared by simple emulsion/solvent evaporation method. Formulations containing 10 and 20% of ADAP were successfully obtained and characterized by morphological, spectroscopic and thermal studies. Values of encapsulation efficiency above 98% were achieved. Microparticles showed spherical shape and smooth surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results presented no drug-polymer chemical bond and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique showed a partially amorphization of drug. ADAP permeation in Strat-M® membrane for transdermal diffusion testing was evaluated by photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) in the spectral region between 225 and 400 nm after 15 min and 3 h from application of ADAP-loaded PCL formulations. PAS was successfully used for investigating the penetration of polyester microparticles. In addition, microencapsulation decreased in vitro transmembrane diffusion of ADAP.