Membrane properties for permeability testing: Skin versus synthetic membranes
Abstract
Synthetic membranes that are utilized in diffusion studies for topical and transdermal formulations are usually porous thin polymeric sheets for example cellulose acetate (CA) and polysulfones. In this study, the permeability of human skin was compared using two synthetic membranes: cellulose acetate and Strat-M® membrane and lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds either as saturated or formulated solutions as well as marketed dosage forms. Our data suggests that hydrophilic compounds have higher permeation in Strat-M membranes compared with lipophilic ones. High variation in permeability values, a typical property of biological membranes, was not observed with Strat-M. In addition, the permeability of Strat-M was closer to that of human skin than that of cellulose acetate (CA > Strat-M > Human skin). Our results suggest that Strat-M with little or no lot to lot variability can be applied in pilot studies of diffusion tests instead of human skin and is a better substitute than a cellulose acetate.
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The microporous cellulose acetate membrane is useful for studying topical diffusion and release of chemical agents.
“In the first group, we find the microporous cellulose acetate (CA) membrane that is useful for studying the topical diffusion and release of chemical agents [12].”
From Recreating Human Skin In Vitro: Should the Microbiota Be Taken into Account? (2024) · cites this paper as [12]
Cellulose acetate membranes lack the fluid lipid component normally present in the stratum corneum of in vivo skin, which is one of the main barriers to drug penetration.
“In addition, CA membranes also lack the fluid lipid component, which is normally present in the stratum corneum of the in vivo skin and is one of the main barriers to drug penetration [12,13].”
From Recreating Human Skin In Vitro: Should the Microbiota Be Taken into Account? (2024) · cites this paper as [12]
Skin PAMPAs contain free fatty acid, cholesterol, and synthetic ceramide analogs mimicking the stratum corneum.
“In order to overcome this limitation, lipid-based skin models have been developed, such as the skin PAMPAs (Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assays), which contain free fatty acid, cholesterol, and synthetic ceramide analogs mimicking the stratum corneum [12,14]”
From Recreating Human Skin In Vitro: Should the Microbiota Be Taken into Account? (2024) · cites this paper as [12]
Cites
Prediction of skin permeation by chemical compounds using the artificial membrane, Strat-M™
Uchida, T., Kadhum, W. R., Kanai, S., Todo, H., Oshizaka, T., & Sugibayashi, K. (2015) · European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2014.11.002 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
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Recreating Human Skin In Vitro: Should the Microbiota Be Taken into Account?
Galvan, A., Pellicciari, C., & Calderan, L. (2024) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms25021165 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Kessler, J. C., Martins, I. M., Manrique, Y. A., Gudjónsdóttir, S. D., Rodrigues, A. E., Barreiro, M. F., & Dias, M. M. (2025) · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · doi:10.1111/jocd.70486 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“The membrane was placed facing the receptor fluid, a PBS buffer solution (pH 7.4), maintained at 37°C [32, 33] using a heating bath circulator thermostat (Huber Pilot ONE, Hanover, Pennsylvania, United States), and continuously stirred with a magnetic stirrer at 600 rpm under occlusive conditions.”
Influential
- Authors
- Haq, A., Dorrani, M., Goodyear, B., Joshi, V., & Michniak-Kohn, B.
- Affiliations
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
- MilliporeSigma (United States) (US)
- Venue
- International Journal of Pharmaceutics
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-03
- Volume
- 539
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 58-64
- ISSN
- 0378-5173 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2789552516
- Cited by
- 107
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5
- FWCI
- 4.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Pharmaceutics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Keywords
- skin permeability, synthetic membranes, human skin, cellulose acetate, permeation testing, lipophilic compounds, hydrophilic compounds, lot-to-lot variation, transdermal drug delivery, topical formulation
- MeSH terms
- Caffeine, Cellulose, Diclofenac, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Membranes, Artificial, Polymers, Skin, Skin Absorption, Sulfones
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