Pharmacological activity of natural lipids on a skin barrier disruption model

The lipids of the stratum corneum are considered responsible for the most i mportant functions of the skin, such as the transepidermal water loss, as w ell as the transdermal penetration of the chemical substances. Topical appl ication of lipids similar to the physiological stratum corneum (SC) on barr ier disrupted skin, could enhance the recovery rate of the skin barrier. A mixture of natural lipids or liposomes with the same lipid composition, wer e applied and their pharmacological action was investigated. The tests were done in vivo, on the back of hairless mice. Comparative results were obtai ned and showed that the liposomes had a higher turnover of the skin barrier in contrast to that of the mechanical mixture of lipids. (C) 2000 Academic Press.