Enhancement of topical small interfering RNA delivery and expression by low-fluence erbium:YAG laser pretreatment of skin.

RNA interference (RNAi) is rapidly becoming an important tool that is advancing research with therapeutic aims. It is necessary to develop efficient ways of guiding small interfering RNA (siRNA) to targeted tissues to induce an RNAi effect. Herein, we report on an active method for delivering macromolecular siRNA and its plasmid vector into the skin, using erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser pretreatment.

Topical delivery of methotrexate via skin pretreated with physical enhancement techniques: low-fluence erbium:YAG laser and electroporation.

Background And Objective: The high hydrophilicity and molecular weight of methotrexate (MTX) make it difficult to deliver via the skin route for treating psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. The objective of this study was to enhance and optimize the skin permeation of MTX using two physical techniques: an erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser and electroporation.

Methods: In vitro skin permeation was performed using horizontal side-by-side diffusion cells.