Analysis of curcumin skin permeation carried by different delivery systems: a comparison between Franz diffusion cell approach and photoacoustic spectroscopy

Drug delivery systems (DDS) offer several advantages, including modulation of the drug release kinetics and improvement of drug availability into a specific site. Curcumin (CUR) presents antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and can be administered by topical route. The aim of this study was to compare CUR skin permeation by two different methodologies: pig skin permeation using Franz diffusion cell [2] and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) [3]; using microsponges (MS) and bioadhesive gel composed of CUR 1.00% and 0.08% (w/w), respectively [1]. CUR from both systems could not cross the skin layers. CUR from MS was retained 13.5% (w/w) in the stratum corneum (SC) and 15.0% (w/w) in the epidermis (without SC) and the dermis. The amount of 2.21% (w/w) CUR from gel was determined in the SC, while 2,61% (w/w) were observed in the epidermis (without SC) and the dermis. These results were confirmed by PAS analyses, indicating that the methodologies are complementary.