EFFECT OF BENZYL ALCOHOL ON RAT SKIN AS A SOLVENT OF LIQUID DROPLET DISPERSION OINTMENT

The action of benzyl alcohol (BA) as a major solvent of a liquid dropl et dispersion ointment (LDDS), a preparation enabling excellent percut aneous absorption of drugs, was evaluated and compared with Atone and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which are known percutaneous absorption enh ancers. Using a water sorption-desorption test, BA was found to increa se hygroscopicity and decrease water-holding capacity to the same exte nt as Atone and DMSO. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) determin ation of the,whole stratum corneum, and its lipids and proteins confir med that BA and Atone act on the stratum corneum lipids while DMSO act s on its lipids and proteins. Furthermore, DSC and X-ray diffraction s pectrum determinations of lipids in the stratum corneum suggest that t he action of BA is moderate and reversible. The effect of BA mag be on e of the factors underlying the high percutaneous absorption found wit h LDDS.