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Elsevier, Journal of Controlled Release, 3(99), p. 403-413

DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2004.08.002

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α-Tocopherol pro-vitamins: Synthesis, hydrolysis and accumulation in rabbit ear skin

Journal article published in 2004 by C. Ostacolo ORCID, F. Marra, S. Laneri, A. Sacchi, S. Nicoli, C. Padula, P. Santi ORCID
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

We synthesized esters of alpha-tocopherol (VE) with the aim to develop new pro-vitamins, easily reconverted by enzymes in the skin and able to release another active moiety such as an amino acid, in order to obtain a synergic effect. In particular, the attention was dedicated to the amino acids glycine and alanine and to pyroglutamic acid. The sensitivity of pro-vitamins to enzymatic hydrolysis was evaluated in vitro using porcine liver esterase. Permeation experiments were performed using rabbit ear skin, for the quantification of pro-vitamins and derived VE in the epidermis and dermis. The new derivatives synthesized, and in particular the glycine and alanine derivatives, accumulated in rabbit skin in a significant extent and originated substantial amounts of alpha-tocopherol. In comparison with the acetate derivative (VEAc), the amounts accumulated are comparable or higher. Moreover, the new derivatives, being more hydrophilic, allow the use of vehicles such as the mixture water/propylene glycol/ethanol widely employed for the preparation of creams and gels. Finally, the enzymatic metabolism of these new derivatives generates not only VE, but also components that can have a further advantageous action on skin.