IN-VITRO PERMEATION OF PROGESTERONE FROM A GEL THROUGH THE SHED SKIN OF 3 DIFFERENT SNAKE SPECIES

The in vitro diffusion of progesterone from a gel formulation using th e European Pharmacopoeia method for transdermal dosage forms is descri bed. The membranes used were the dorsal and ventral portions of the sh ed skin of three different species of snake. Considerable differences are apparent between the dorsal and ventral sites and between the diff erent species of snake. The dorsal area shows better permeability for progesterone and the permeability order for the different species is p ython > cobra > viper. These differences may be due to the thickness o f the skin and the hinge:scale ratio. The results indicate that shed s nake skin is not a model membrane for human skin. (C) 1998 Published b y Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.