An investigation into keratinolytic enzymes to enhance ungual drug delivery

• Published in: International journal of pharmaceutics 2007-03, Vol.332 (1), p.196-201
• Main Authors: Mohorčič, M., Torkar, A., Friedrich, J., Kristl, J., Murdan, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - administration & dosage; Animals; Antifungal Agents - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Cell Membrane Permeability - drug effects; Diffusion Chambers, Culture; Drug permeation; General pharmacology; Hoof and Claw - drug effects; Hoof and Claw - metabolism; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Keratinase; Keratins - metabolism; Keratolytic Agents - metabolism; Keratolytic Agents - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Metformin - metabolism; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Models, Biological; Nail; Nail Diseases - drug therapy; Nails - drug effects; Nails - metabolism; Nails - ultrastructure; Peptide Hydrolases - metabolism; Peptide Hydrolases - pharmacology; Permeability; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Time Factors; Ungual drug delivery
• ISSN: 0378-5173; 1873-3476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.09.042

The topical therapy of nail diseases is limited by the low permeability of drugs through the nail plate. To increase drug penetration, the integrity of the nail plate must be compromised to a certain extent. We hypothesised that keratinolytic enzymes might decrease the barrier properties of the nail plate by hydrolysing the nail keratins, and thereby enhance ungual drug permeation. To determine enzyme action on nail plates, nail clippings were incubated at 35 °C, in the presence of keratinase at optimal pH for 48 h, after which the nail plates were examined using scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the enzyme acted on the intercellular matrix which holds nail cells together, such that corneocytes on the dorsal surface separated from one another and ‘lifted off’ the nail plate. In addition, the surface of the corneocytes was corroded. Permeation studies using modified Franz diffusion cells and bovine hoof membranes as a model for the nail plate showed that the enzyme enhanced drug permeation through the hoof membrane. The permeability and partition coefficients, and the drug flux were found to be significantly increased in the presence of the enzyme. We can conclude that the enzyme, via its hydrolytic action on nail plate proteins, could increase ungual drug delivery.