J. Engblom et al., PHASE COEXISTENCE IN CHOLESTEROL FATTY-ACID MIXTURES AND THE EFFECT OF THE PENETRATION ENHANCER AZONE, Journal of controlled release, 52(3), 1998, pp. 271-280
Small and wide-angle X-ray diffraction was used to study the phase beh
aviour of cholesterol-fatty acid mixtures in an attempt to understand
lipid interaction occurring in the stratum corneum, the outermost laye
r of skin. The effect of the penetration enhancer Atone was investigat
ed as well. It was found that equimolar mixtures of cholesterol, palmi
tic acid and oleic acid (with the acids neutralised to 41 mol%) in 25%
(wt/wt) water typically showed three phases at room temperature, two
crystalline and one gel phase. The crystalline phases consisted mainly
of palmitic acid:soap and cholesterol, respectively. The water presen
t was unevenly distributed and was associated with the gel phase. Both
cholesterol and palmitic acid seemed to be depleted from their crysta
lline phases by Atone. The electrostatic effects on titration of fatty
acids in lamellar aggregates were calculated in view of the present r
esults, and the effects of phase separation were discussed. (C) 1998 E
lsevier Science B.V.