Amino Acid Ester Penetration Enhancers for Transdermal Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems face challenges in achieving efficient transdermal and transmucosal penetration due to the impermeability of human skin and nasal mucosa, leading to suboptimal bioavailability and potential irritating side effects from existing penetration enhancers.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a compound of Formula (I), which acts as a penetration enhancer to facilitate the transdermal or transmucosal delivery of pharmacologically active agents by enhancing their absorption through the skin or mucosa, without causing significant irritation or allergic reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If penetration enhancers such as surfactants and bile acids are used to enhance mucosal permeability, then the penetration of drugs through nasal mucosa is improved, but toxic effects and irritation on the nasal mucosa occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces amino acid esters as intermediary substances that mediate between the drug and the mucosal barrier. These compounds facilitate drug penetration through the mucosa without directly causing the toxic effects associated with surfactants and bile acids, thus serving as a safer mediator in the penetration enhancement process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs amino acid esters with specific molecular structures and physicochemical properties that differ from traditional penetration enhancers. By changing the chemical parameters (amino acid backbone, ester group configuration), the substance achieves penetration enhancement while reducing the harmful effects associated with conventional enhancers
2Quantity of substance
If traditional penetration enhancers are applied to achieve therapeutically active drug concentrations, then drug absorption is improved, but irritating or allergic side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The amino acid esters act as temporary, disposable penetration enhancers that perform their function of facilitating drug absorption and then are metabolized and eliminated without causing long-term harmful effects. This approach allows achieving therapeutic concentrations while minimizing persistent irritation or allergic reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of using penetration enhancers (which can cause irritation) into a benefit by selecting amino acid esters that are naturally occurring or biocompatible substances. These substances provide the necessary penetration enhancement while their metabolic pathways ensure safe elimination, thus converting a potentially harmful approach into a beneficial one
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compound of Formula (I) significantly increases the absorption of drugs across dermal or mucosal barriers, offering improved bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy with reduced side effects, as demonstrated by enhanced delivery of analgesics, peptides, and other pharmacologically active agents.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing the penetration of active substances through the skin and nasal mucosa
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Compounds of Formula (I) have been found to be effective transdermal and transmucosal penetration enhancers. A composition of the invention therefore comprises a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmacologically active agent wherein: X is O or CH - R5 R5 is branched or straight C5-C14 alkyl, especially 2-propylpentyl; and when X is O then R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently is H or at most two of them being branched or straight C4 - C16 alkyl, the remaining being H, A is (CH2)2-6 R6 is OH; and when X is CH - R5 then R1, R2, R3 and R4 is H; A is (CH)2-6 or CO(CH2)6-14; R6 is CH3 or OH; and N in formula (I) optionally being quaternized, including racemic and enantiomeric forms.