Role of complexes formation between drugs and penetration enhancers in transdermal delivery

The use of chemical penetration enhancers (CPE) is growing due to their ability to improve drug delivery through the skin. A possible mechanism of penetration enhancement could involve the complex formation between drug and components in the pharmaceutical formulation, thus altering the physicochemical properties of the active substance. Here, modelling studies indicate that hydrocarbon and oxygen-containing terpenes (penetration enhancers) could form complexes with drugs. Satisfactory correlations have been obtained between the predicted molecular properties of enhancers and their enhancement effects.