Pectin for transdermal drug delivery system : a histological assessment / Fazrul Haiqal Ab Rahman

The effect of pectin as transdennal drug delivery system matrix on rat skin histology was investigated. Oleic acid (OA) was employed as a penetration enhancer. Four types of films and gels were prepared by dissolving the pectin powder with or without oleic acid in deionised water under continuous stirring at 25 ± 1°C for 15 h. Rat skin applied with the films and gels were subsequently subjected to the staining method by Harris Haematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O (ORO) Stain Kit for histological examination. The application of pectin on rat skin did not induce skin damage as shown by the cross-sectional histology of skin stained by H&E and ORO. No significant amount of oleic acid permeated through the skin from pectin film or gel when compared to the skin applied with OA-free film or gel. The pectin molecules could act as a binding agent for epidermis and dermis, hence creating and impermeable skin barrier for permeation of oleic acid. Further study is needed in order to explore the use of pectin as a matrix polymer for transdermal drug delivery system.