Moisturizing Lotions can Increase Transdermal Absorption of the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxacetic Acid Across Hairless Mouse Skin

• Published in: Cutaneous and ocular toxicology 2007, Vol.26 (1), p.15-23
• Main Authors: Brand, R. M., Charron, A. R., Sandler, V. L., Jendrzejewski, J. L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxacetic acid; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - administration & dosage; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - pharmacokinetics; Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cosmetics; Dermatologic Agents - administration & dosage; Dermatologic Agents - chemistry; Dermatologic Agents - pharmacology; Female; Herbicide; Herbicides - administration & dosage; Herbicides - pharmacokinetics; Intermediate Filament Proteins - metabolism; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Moisturizing lotions; Ointments; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Skin; Skin - drug effects; Skin - metabolism; Skin Absorption - drug effects; Skin Absorption - physiology; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - administration & dosage; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - pharmacokinetics; Surface-Active Agents - administration & dosage; Surface-Active Agents - pharmacokinetics; Time Factors; Toxicology; Transdermal; Water Loss, Insensible - drug effects
• ISSN: 1556-9527; 1556-9535
• DOI: 10.1080/15569520601182791

Moisturizing lotions can be an effective treatment for occupationally induced dry skin. These compounds are designed to be hygroscopic and retain water to keep the stratum corneum hydrated, while at the same time enhancing the horny layer to prevent increases in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Skin hydration levels, however, are known to influence barrier properties. The purpose of this work was to compare skin moisture levels induced by four commercially available moisturizing lotions with their capacity as transdermal penetration enhancers using the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as a model chemical. Further, the effect of moisturizing the skin after washing with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on transdermal absorption was determined. Skin moisture levels were also measured noninvasively and were correlated to penetration enhancement. Hairless mouse skin was pretreated with commercially available moisturizing lotions either with or without SLS washing and in vitro permeability studies were performed with the herbicide 2,4-D. The data demonstrate that pretreatment with three of the four lotions tested increased the transdermal absorption of 2,4-D as evidenced by cumulative penetration or faster lag times (p < 0.05). Skin moisture levels correlated with the penetration enhancement capabilities of the lotion. Washing the skin with 5% SDS increased the transdermal absorption of 2,4-D (p < 0.05) and application of moisturizing lotions increased the absorption further. In summary moisturizing lotions may influence transdermal penetration of the skin, with the more effective moisturizers having a greater effect on 2,4-D absorption.