The Examination of Stratum Corneum Structural Modifications Using Ionic Liquids for Transdermal Drug Delivery

Author

Jasmine NguyenFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Eden Tanner

Second Advisor

Susan Pedigo

Third Advisor

Joshua Zhu

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

In recent years, transdermal drug delivery has become a significant contender for long-term forms of drug administration because of its potential to increase patient adherence, non-invasiveness, and ability to maintain consistent dosages across long periods of time. However, the impenetrable structure of the stratum corneum prevents many drug formulations from permeating intact skin and reaching the blood vessel-rich dermis. Chemical permeation enhancers are a class of molecules that show promise, but often cause dermatitis, skin irritation, and burns. Biocompatible ionic liquids, composed of large, asymmetric counterions, act as a feasible, non-irritating delivery vehicle for insoluble medications. Their practicality as potent chemical permeation enhancers has been shown using choline and geranic acid based solvents in ex vivo permeation tests with Franz diffusion cells, 2D ¹H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Mechanistic studies reveal a stoichiometric ratio of 1:2 in cationic:anionic components yield the highest delivery efficacy by either extracting or fluidizing the lipid bilayer within the stratum corneum. The purpose of this research is to examine the structural modifications of the stratum corneum after incubation with ionic liquids composed of a range of nitrogenous cations and geranic acid analogs. The chosen cations were pyridinium, choline, and imidazolium, and the anions were citronellic acid and trans-2-octenoate. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy revealed lipid extractions in the majority of tested porcine samples, suggesting that effective solvents altered the stratum corneum by reducing the amount of methylene bonds in the matrix.

Recommended Citation

Nguyen, Jasmine, "The Examination of Stratum Corneum Structural Modifications Using Ionic Liquids for Transdermal Drug Delivery" (2025). Honors Theses. 3234.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3234

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