A novel approach for the use of hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel nanoparticles as effective carriers for transdermal delivery systems

Here we report a novel approach for the use of hydrogel nanoparticles as effective carriers in transdermal delivery systems. Hydrogel nanoparticles, sized of 37 nm at dried state, were synthesized via a crosslinking reaction between hyaluronic acid (HA) and polyethylene glycol. Depending on the type of dispersion medium, we found the hydrogel nanoparticles showed different abilities to penetrate into a skin layer. From in vitro skin penetration studies, the hydrogel nanoparticles dispersed in an oil or an oil composition were more effective in their penetration into a skin of albino guinea pig than those dispersed in an oil-in-water emulsion. In pre-clinical studies, the hydrogel nanoparticles dispersed in the oil or the oil composition still fairly penetrated into the skin layer of albino guinea pig. The present results suggest the importance of dispersion medium for the hydrogel nanoparticles to become effective drug carriers in topical/transdermal delivery systems.