Planta Med 2009; 75(13): 1381-1385
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1185744
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cooperative Interaction of Monoterpenes and Phenylpropanoids on the in vitro Human Skin Permeation of Complex Composed Essential Oils

Sonja Schmitt1 , Ulrich F. Schaefer2 , Leonhard Doebler3 , Jürgen Reichling1
  • 1Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 2Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
  • 3Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Atos Praxisklinik, Heidelberg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received February 5, 2009 revised April 3, 2009

accepted April 9, 2009

Publication Date:
08 June 2009 (online)

Abstract

For essential oils, several biological effects such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and blood-circulation-enhancing properties have been described. The method of application depends on the pathophysiology, the desired outcome, safety, and toxicity data. For treating respiratory symptoms and nervous disorders, inhalation may be the best means of application, whereas topical application is the best way for treating skin diseases. For dermal application, percutaneous absorption of essential oil and oil components is of great interest. Essential oils are complex mixtures of different volatile substances. So, the question is raised whether all components of a complex composed essential oil are equivalent with respect to their human skin permeation. By means of artificial mixtures of different essential oil ingredients, we investigated the cooperative effect of monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids on the permeation through heat-separated human skin epidermis in static Franz-Diffusion Cells. Limonene showed an enhancing effect on the permeation of citronellol and eugenol. Both α-pinene and myrcene increased the apparent permeability (P app) value of phenylethanol. β-Pinene had an enhancing effect on the permeation behaviour of methyleugenol but not of geraniol. The investigations clearly show that cooperative effects of single essential oil components may influence percutaneous essential oil absorption.

References

  • 1 Weseler A, Geiss H, Saller R, Reichling J. A novel colorimetric broth microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics and essential oils against Helicobacter pylori.  Pharmazie. 2005;  7 498-502
  • 2 Safayhi H, Sabieraj J, Sailer E, Ammon H PT. Chamazulene: an antioxidant-type inhibitor of leukotriene B4 formation.  Planta Med. 1994;  60 410-413
  • 3 Sheppard-Hanger S. The aromatherapy practitioner reference manual. Florida; Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy 1995
  • 4 Koch C. Antivirale Effekte ausgewählter ätherischer Öle auf behüllte Viren unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Herpes simplex Virus Type 1 und 2. Dissertation. Heidelberg; Ruprecht-Karls-Universität 2005
  • 5 Boyd E, Sheppard E. The effect of steam inhalation of volatile oils on the output and composition of respiratory tract fluid.  J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1968;  163 250-256
  • 6 Rose J. The aromatherapy book. Berkeley; North Atlantic Books 1992
  • 7 Rose J. Herbal studies course. San Francisco; Institute of Aromatic & Herbal Studies 1992
  • 8 Wester R, Maibach H. Percutaneous absorption of drugs.  Clin Pharmacokinet. 1992;  23 253-266
  • 9 Scheuplein R, Blank I. Permeability of the skin.  Physiol Rev. 1971;  51 702-747
  • 10 Sekura D, Scala J. The percutaneous absorption of alkyl methylsulfoxides.  Adv Biol Skin. 1988;  12 257
  • 11 Tsuzuki N, Wong O, Higuchi T. Effect of primary alcohols on percutaneous absorption.  Int J Pharm. 1988;  46 19-23
  • 12 Aungst B, Rogers N, Shefter E. Enhancement of naloxone penetration through human skin in vitro using fatty acids, fatty alcohols, surfactants, sulfoxides and amines.  Int J Pharm. 1986;  33 225-234
  • 13 Feldmann R, Maibach H. Percutaneous penetration.  Arch Dermatol. 1974;  109 58-59
  • 14 Sato K, Sugibayashi K, Morimoto Y. Effect and mode of action of aliphatic esters on in vitro skin permeation of nicorandil.  Int J Pharm. 1988;  43 31-40
  • 15 Chowhan Z, Pritchard R. Effect of surfactants on the percutaneous absorption of naproxen. I. Comparison of rabbit, rat and human excised skin.  J Pharm Sci. 1978;  67 1272-1274
  • 16 Williams A C, Barry B W. Terpenes and the lipid protein-partitioning theory of skin penetration enhancement.  Pharm Res. 1991;  8 17-24
  • 17 Williams A C, Barry B W. The enhancement index concept applied to terpene penetration enhancers for human skin and model lipophilic (oestradiol) and hydrophilic (5-fluoruracil) drugs.  Int J Pharm. 1991;  74 157-168
  • 18 El-Kattan A F, Asbill C S, Kim N, Michniak B B. The effects of terpene enhancers on the percutaneous permeation of drugs with different lipophilicities.  Int J Pharm. 2001;  215 229-240
  • 19 Kunta J R, Goskonda V R, Brotherton H O, Khan M A, Reddy I K. Effect of menthol and related terpenes on the percutaneous absorption of propranolol across excised hairless mouse skin.  J Pharm Sci. 1997;  86 1369-1373
  • 20 El-Kattan A F, Asbill C S, Michniak B B. The effect of terpene enhancer lipophilicity on the percutaneous permeation of hydrocortisone formulated in hpmc gel systems.  Int J Pharm. 2000;  198 179-189
  • 21 Godwin D A, Michniak B B. Influence of drug lipophilicity on terpenes as transdermal penetration enhancers.  Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 1999;  25 905-915
  • 22 Harrison S M, Barry B W, Dugard P H. Effects of freezing on human skin permeability.  J Pharm Pharmacol. 1984;  36 261-262
  • 23 Bronaugh R L, Stewart R F, Wester R C, Bucks D, Mailbach H I, Anderson J. Comparison of percutaneous absorption of fragrances by humans and monkeys.  Food Chem Toxicol. 1985;  23 111-114
  • 24 Schaefer U, Loth H. An ex-vivo model for the study of drug penetration into human skin.  Pharm Res. 1996;  13 S‐366
  • 25 Kligman A M, Christophers E. Preparation of isolated sheets of stratum corneum.  Arch Dermatol. 1963;  88 702-705
  • 26 OECD Test guideline 42 .Skin absorption: in vitro method. Paris; OECD Publication Office 2004
  • 27 Series on testing and assessment O ECD, No.  28. Guidance document for the conduct of skin absorption studies. OECD Guidelines for the testing of chemicals. Paris; OECD Publication Office 2004
  • 28 Aqil M, Ahad A, Sultana Y, Ali A. Status of terpenes as skin penetration enhancers.  Drug Discov Today. 2007;  12 1061-1067
  • 29 Lim P F, Liu X Y, Kang L, Ho P C, Chan Y W, Chan S Y. Limonene GP1/PG organogel as a vehicle in transdermal delivery of haloperidol.  Int J Pharm. 2006;  311 157-164
  • 30 Medi B M, Singh S, Singh J. Assessing efficacy of penetration enhancers. Riviere JE Dermal absorption models in toxicology and pharmacology. London; CRC Group 2006: 213-249
  • 31 Barry B W. Lipid-protein-partitioning theory of skin penetration enhancement.  J Controlled Rel. 1991;  15 237-248
  • 32 Hori M, Satoh S, Maibach H, Guy R. Enhancement of propranolol hydrochloride and diazepam skin absorption in-vitro: effect of enhancer lipophilicity.  J Pharm Sci. 1991;  80 32-35
  • 33 Williams A, Barry B. Terpenes and the lipid protein-partitioning theory of skin penetration enhancement.  Pharm Res. 1991;  8 17-24
  • 34 Mutalik S, Udupa N. Effect of some penetration enhancers on the permeation of glibenclamide and glipizide through mouse skin.  Pharmazie. 2003;  58 891-895
  • 35 Fang J, Hung C, Chiu H, Wang J, Chan T. Efficacy and irritancy of enhancers on the in vitro and in vivo percutaneous absorption of curcumin.  J Pharm Pharmacol. 2003;  55 593-601
  • 36 USP 6004969. Transdermal delivery of buprenorphine preparations. Available at www.freepatentsonline.com/6004969.html

Prof. Dr Juergen Reichling

Department of Biology
Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology
University of Heidelberg

Im Neuenheimer Feld 364

69120 Heidelberg

Germany

Phone: + 49 62 21 54 48 65

Fax: + 49 62 21 54 48 84

Email: juergen.reichling@urz.uni-heidelberg.de