Efficient intradermal delivery of superoxide dismutase using a combination of liposomes and iontophoresis for protection against UV-induced skin damage.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a potent antioxidant agent that protects against UV-induced skin damage. However, its high molecular weight is a significant obstacle for efficient delivery into the skin through the stratum corneum and development of antioxidant activity. Recently, we developed a non-invasive transfollicular delivery system for macromolecules using a combination of liposomes and iontophoresis, that represents promising technology for enhancing transdermal administration of charged drugs (IJP, 403, 2011, Kajimoto et al.

Noninvasive and efficient transdermal delivery of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide for cancer immunotherapy.

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanosine motifs (CpG-ODN) possess immunostimulatory effects and potential antitumor activity. Since the skin is an easily available site of administration of CpG-ODN due to its accessibility and the presence of abundant antigen presenting cells, it is expected that the application of CpG-ODN to the skin would induce systemic immune response and antitumor activity. However, it is difficult to deliver hydrophilic macromolecules including CpG-ODN through the skin.

Noninvasive and persistent transfollicular drug delivery system using a combination of liposomes and iontophoresis.

Iontophoresis is a promising technique for enhancing transdermal administration of charged drugs. However, conventional iontophoresis is not sufficient for effective delivery of large, hydrophilic, or electrically neutral molecules. In this study, we utilized charged liposomes as carriers, focused on a transfollicular route for delivery of the liposomes, and optimized iontophoretic conditions and lipid composition for this method in both in vitro and in vivo conditions.

In vivo transdermal delivery of diclofenac by ion-exchange iontophoresis with geraniol.

A novel iontophoretic system utilizing ion-exchange membranes is effective for selective transdermal delivery of ionized drugs. In the present study, we examined in vivo availability and safety of ion-exchange iontophoresis in the transdermal delivery of anionic diclofenac, a well known anti-inflammatory medication, to rat dorsal skin. While iontophoresis increased the plasma concentration of diclofenac sodium and skin injury was not observed, no anti-inflammatory effect was exerted.