Abstract
(1) Background: Skin is a difficult barrier to overcome, especially for molecules with masses greater than 500 Da. It has been suggested that albumin may contribute to more effective penetration of many therapeutic substances. In this study, an attempt was made to use albumin in semi-solid formulations to increase the skin penetration of another peptide—corticotropin (ACTH). (2) Methods: Hydrogels were prepared at two concentrations: 15 mg/g and 20 mg/g corticotropin, then albumin was added to them in different stoichiometric ratios. The degree of ACTH release from hydrogels, both with and without albumin addition, was investigated. For selected hydrogels the process of corticotropin permeation through a model membrane, i.e., pig skin, was examined. (3) Results: The study of corticotropin release showed that the addition of albumin, depending on its amount, may delay or increase the release process. Similarly, a study of ACTH permeation through porcine skin showed that albumin can delay or increase and accelerate ACTH permeation. (4) Conclusions: Hydrogel, applicated on the skin surface, may prove to be a beneficial and convenient solution for patients. It is an innovative way of application ACTH that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and may result in increased availability of the peptide and its efficacy.
Highlights
ACTH, an adrenocorticotropic hormone with a molecular weight of approximately4.5 kDa, is produced and secreted by the hypothalamic pituitary gland [1,2]
Due to the difficulty of peptides as large molecules to overcome the skin barrier, we considered the possibility of using human albumin as a substance to model ACTH penetration through the skin
It was observed that the effect of albumin on ACTH release from tested, and it was found that the highest amount of ACTH permeated from hydrogel of the resulting hydrogel was greater at the lower concentration, i.e., 1.5%
Summary
4.5 kDa, is produced and secreted by the hypothalamic pituitary gland [1,2]. The functions of ACTH include regulation of cortisol production [3]. It has been suggested that it may be possible to make preparations with ACTH for application to the skin to achieve a therapeutic effect. Albumin has the ability to transport low molecular weight substances, including to target organs. Albumin can be used to formulate conjugates, nanoparticles and complexes with drugs, antibodies, and peptides. Due to the difficulty of peptides as large molecules to overcome the skin barrier, we considered the possibility of using human albumin as a substance to model ACTH penetration through the skin. The object of this paper is to investigate the effect of albumin on the permeation of ACTH through the skin. This aim was achieved by preparing hydrogels with ACTH in two concentrations. The ACTH permeation process was carried out and analysed using a natural membrane such as porcine skin
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