A Rapid Assessment Approach for Skin Stratum-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems Using Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Spatial Clustering.

ABSTRACT: A novel mass spectrometry imaging (MSI)-based concept that enables rapid visualization and evaluation of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) distribution across skin layers following dermal delivery is presented. This approach integrates desorption electrospray ionization MSI with a newly developed automated computational tool (access provided) that efficiently processes MSI data, isolates skin tissue signals from background interference, and segments the tissue into precise layers. The tool facilitates detailed and rapid assessment of API localization within skin strata in under 10 min per skin specimen. To validate this method, three nanoscale dermal drug delivery systems (DDSs) for the antifungal terbinafine that target distinct skin strata-ethosomes, transethosomes, and microemulsio

SUBMITTER: Yakobi Arancibia R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12362830 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature