Iontophoresis associated with ascorbic acid: Evaluation of in vitro vertical diffusion

Abstract

Iontophoresis is a method for increasing permeation of substances through skin using direct current. In this work, was studied the active ascorbic acid, which has important physiological effects on the skin, such as its antioxidant activity, is an important cofactor in the production of collagen by fibroblasts and also acts as an inhibitor of melanogenesis, providing a whitening of stains. Experiments were held in vitro iontophoresis and gel with hydroxyethylcellulose associated with ascorbic acid 5% during 0, 2, 5 and 10 minutes, in a group with current application and a control group. The release, permeation and flow of ascorbic acid in vertical diffusion was evaluated in vitro using a Franz cell, cellulose acetate membrane and Boa constrictor biomembrane. It can be seen that there was an increased release and flow ascorbic acid when compared to passive diffusion. The flow of ascorbic acid through the cellulose acetate membrane without the application of iontophoresis was 5.1594 mmol L-1cm-2 h-1 and with application of iontophoresis, the flow of ascorbic acid increased to 16.7132 mmol L-1cm-2 h-1. In terms of permeation, in the biomembrane, the flow was 1.8167 mmol L-1cm-2 h-1 and 1.4516 mmol L-1cm-2 h-1, in control system and in system with iontophoresis, respectively, indicating that iontophoresis promotes an increase on acid ascorbic permeation.