" In vitro skin penetration study of iron oxide nanocarriers with different coatings ".
nanocarriers, nanoparticles, iron oxide, cutaneous penetration, topical administration, lauric acid, dodecylamine, Pluronic F127.
The cutaneous penetration of different iron oxide nanocarriers has been investigated to evaluate its application as topical administration of drugs. The nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via chemical coprecipitation in basic aqueous medium and functionalized with three different surfactants, lauric acid (anionic), dodecylamine (cationic) and Pluronic F127 (non-ionic), resulting in stable aqueous coloidal dispersions. The synthesized nanocarriers were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The NPs presented mean diameter of about 6.5 nm, while the hydrodynamic diameter ranged from 130 to 230 nm. Raman spectra showed that the oxidation of the magnetite particles to maghemite was effective, while the analysis of the Infrared Spectra indicated the presence of each coating layers on the 3 nanocarriers. In vitro skin penetration studies of the 3 nanosystems, was conducted using pig ear skin as a model for human skin through the modified Saarbrüecken method. The permeation was conducted during 12, 24 and 36 hours. The concentration of iron was determined through ferromagnetic resonance measurements following permeation. The concentration of iron in the stratum corneum and the hair follicle, for each nanonocarries was obtained. It was not observed the presence of iron in the remaining skin. These results indicate that all the synthesized nanocarriers present potential for topical application of drugs, allowing a local treatment, without reaching the bloodstream.