Semisolids Flashcards
Identify the layers of the skin and their main functions. Which layer represents the main
skin barrier?
Epidermis
Stratum corneum (horny layer)
– the main barrier **controls percutaneous
absorption (dead corneocytes)
Stratum lucidum (clear layer) transitionary layer
Stratum granulosum (granular layer)
- Keratinocytes contain keratohyalin granules
which discharge a cement-like substance that bind cells together (barrier against
foreign material); Site of biochemical activity (bioreactor)
Stratum spinosum (prickle cell layer)
- Keratinocytes contain bundles of filaments
(“prickly” looking) which help skin to resist abrasion
Stratum germinativum/basale (basal layer)
- Nucleated basal cells , dividing
(mitosis) layer which replaces the shedding cells of stratum corneum)
Dermis
– sensation, blood circulation, immune function
- Site for drug metabolism
- Hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands (appendages)
Subcutaneous tissue – support, mechanical cushioning, thermal barrier, subcutaneous tissue
What is the skin surface pH? Define acid mantle.
5.5
Acid mantle pH 4.2 - 5.6 → bacteriostatic and fungistatic secretions (short chain fatty acids from
sebaceous and eccrine sweat glands) – formulations with pH 5.5 are said to be the most compatible with the skin
What is the average thickness of the layers of skin
Epidermis: 200 microm (800microm thick skin, 60 microm eyelid)
Stratum corneum: 10-20 microm
Dermis: 1-5 mm
What is percutaneous absorption influenced by?
- Blood vessels: maintain sink conditions; vasoconstriction and vasodilation due to cold
and heat decreases or increases drug absorption, respectively - Appendages: pores of appendages can allow drug absorption, however, this ‘shunt route’
provides for very low absorption due to the small fraction of area (0.1% of total area)
occupied by hair follicles and glands
What is water content of the normal stratum corneum
10-20%
What does the shunt route of drug permeation mean?
Shunt route = absorption through the appendages
What effect does UV light have on the skin?
UVB 290 - 320 nm ⇒ burns skin
UVA 320 - 400 nm ⇒ less damaging (aging, pigmentation
skin response to UV radiation (Pigmentation, erythema, aging, malignancy)
The skin is an important heat barrier:
What is the consequence of heat or cold exposure on the skin vasculature and percutaneous absorption?
Heat conservation (vasoconstriction, shivering, goose bumps, cold)
- percutaneous absorption decreases
- Heat loss (vasodilation, skin reddening)
percutaneous absorption increases
Define “sink conditions”
Blood circulation in the DERMIS maintains sink conditions by taking up drug absorbed into skin
into the systemic circulation thereby maintaining high concentration gradient between the
formulation and the skin
Define ointments, creams, pastes, gel
Ointment
- hydrophobic or greasy
- Anhydrous
- Single phase vehicles
Cream
- Contain both oil phase and water
Paste
- 20-50% of solids finely dispersed in a fatty vehicle
Gel
- provide stiffness to a solution or colloidal dispersion
- good for hairy areas
- water-soluble drugs
Which bases are non water washable bases and water washable vehicles?
non water washable bases
- Oleaginous/hydrocarbon bases
- Absorption bases
- W/O emulsion bases
- Silicone bases
Water washable vehicles
- O/W emulsions
- Gels
- Hydrophilic bases
- Emulsifying bases
Define occlusion and effects on the skin
- formation of an impermeable layer on the skin to prevent evaporation of water
Effects:
- Increased hydration (by preventing evaporation of water from the skin)
- Enhanced percutaneous absorption
- Softening of the skin (emollient action)
What are properties of oleaginous/hydrocarbon bases?
Provide examples
- Hydrophobic
- Greasy
- Non-water washable
- Occlusive
- Emollient
Excipients
- fixed oils (peanut, cottonseed, almond)
- Waxes (esters of fatty acids)
Vehicles
- Petrolatum
- Yellow, white, zinc oxide ointment
Plastibase
- polyethylene
- Mineral oil
What are properties of Absorption bases and give examples
Properties
- Hydrophobic
- Greasy
- Anhydrous (hydrophilic components provide water-absorbing properties)
- W/O after adding water
Examples
- Anhydrous lanolin (wool fat)
- Lanolin (hydrous wool fat)
- Lanolin alcohols, liquid lanolin
- Hydrophilic petrolatum
- Aquabase ointment
- Wool alcohols ointment
Differentiate between wool fat (anyhdrous lanolin) and lanolin
wool fat (anyhdrous lanolin)
- contains mixture of sterols which impact the ability to absorb water
- water content: LESS THAN 0.25%
Lanolin
- 25-30% water