Development and evaluation of niacinamide transdermal formulation by artificial membrane permeability

Despite many efforts to improve the transdermal permeability of drugs, most of them are blocked by the skin barrier. Niacinamide (NAC) is a Biopharmaceutics Classification System class I drug with high aqueous solubility and intestinal permeability. Due to the high solubility and intestinal permeability of NAC, the development of new formulations is insufficient as transdermal, injection etc. Thus, this study aimed to develop the novel NAC formulation with improved skin permeability and secured stability. The NAC formulation approach is to first select a solvent that improves skin permeability, and then select a second penetration enhancer to determine the final formulation. All formulations were evaluated for skin permeability using an artificial membrane (Strat-M®). The optimal formulation (non-ionic formulations (NF1) consisted of NAC/Tween®80 = 1:1 wt ratio in dipropylene glycol [DPG]) showed the highest permeability in all formulations in PBS buffer (pH 7.4). The thermal properties of NF1 were altered. Moreover, NF1 maintained a stable drug content, appearance, and pH value for 12 months. In conclusion, DPG had an excellent effect in increasing the NAC permeation, and Tween®80 played a boosting role. Through this study, an innovative NAC formulation was developed, and good results are expected for human transdermal research.