Improvement of Imiquimod Solubilization and Skin Retention via TPGS Micelles: Exploiting the Co-Solubilizing Effect of Oleic Acid.

ABSTRACT: Imiquimod (IMQ) is an immunostimulant drug approved for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis, external genital-perianal warts as well as superficial basal cell carcinoma that is used off-label for the treatment of different forms of skin cancers, including some malignant melanocytic proliferations such as lentigo maligna, atypical nevi and other in situ melanoma-related diseases. Imiquimod skin delivery has proven to be a real challenge due to its very low water-solubility and reduced skin penetration capacity. The aim of the work was to improve the drug solubility and skin retention using micelles of d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), a water-soluble derivative of vitamin E, co-encapsulating various lipophilic compounds with the potential ability to improve im

SUBMITTER: Ghezzi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8469695 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature