Topical delivery of silymarin constituents via the skin route.

OBJECTIVE

Silibinin (SB), silydianin (SD), and silychristin (SC) are components of silymarin. These compounds can be used to protect the skin from oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and treat it. To this end, the absorption of silymarin constituents via the skin was examined in the present report.

METHODS

Transport of SB, SD, and SC under the same thermodynamic activity through and into the skin and the effects of pH were studied in vitro using a Franz diffusion assembly.

RESULTS

The lipophilicity increased in the order of SC

CONCLUSIONS

The basic profiles of silymarin permeation via skin route were established.