The Permeability of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles Loaded with Psoralen to Human Skin in Medical Chemotherapy

Objective: In order to improve the clinical efficacy and reduce the side effects, PLGA nanoparticles loaded with psoralen for external use were prepared, and the permeation, distribution and influencing factors of PLGA nanoparticles delivered via microneedles in human skin were investigated. Methods: The psoralen nanoparticles were prepared by solvent replacement and interfacial polymer deposition. The percutaneous process of PLGA nanoparticles loaded with psoralen was observed with Franz diffusion cell and laser confocal microscope. The distribution of the nanoparticles in each cortex was quantified by HPLC. Results: The retention of PLGA nanoparticles delivered via microneedles in the skin was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the retention in the epidermis was greater than that in the dermis (P < 0.01); the release rate in vitro was 75.58% after 24 hours, and less than 0.5% after 48 hours. Conclusion: PLGA nanoparticles loaded with psoralen can effectively promote the penetration and distribution of PLGA nanoparticles in human skin after being delivered to human skin through rnicroneedles. With the increase of depth, the amount of PLGA nanoparticles gradually decreases, and with the extension of time, the penetration promotion effect of microneedles is more obvious. PLGA nanoparticles loaded with psoralen may become one of the clinical methods to improve the photochemotherapy of psoralen and develop a new transdermal drug delivery system to reduce its toxic and side effects.