Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly explored for targeted skin penetration, particularly for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. However, the complex system between NP properties, skin structure, and experimental conditions poses significant challenges in predicting their penetration depth and pathways. To what depth do NPs penetrate the skin, and which pathways do they follow? These are the questions we tried to answer in this paper. To explore this, we developed an in-silico human skin model based on 20 years of literature on NPs skin penetration. The model incorporated 19 independent parameters, including a wide range of NP properties, skin across species, and test conditions. Using random forest analysis coupled with Kennard-Stone sorting, the model achieved a high predictive accuracy of 95%. The study identified hair follicle diameter as the most critical factor influencing NP penetration across skin layers, surpassing other skin properties, NP properties, or experimental variables. Pig and rabbit skin were the most suitable models for simulating human skin in NP penetration studies. Additionally, the in-silico model revealed that NPs in emulsions and oil-based media predominantly followed the intercellular and transappendageal route. In contrast, those embedded in aqueous media favored the intracellular route. These findings offer insights for optimizing NP-based drug delivery systems.

Authors

• Natsumi Maeda link open in new tab ,
• Haixin Jiao link open in new tab ,
• dr inż. Ilona Kłosowska-Chomiczewska link open in new tab ,
• dr inż. Wojciech Artichowicz link open in new tab ,
• Ulrich Preiss,
• dr hab. inż. Patrycja Szumała link open in new tab ,
• dr hab. inż. Adam Macierzanka link open in new tab ,
• dr hab. Christian Jungnickel link open in new tab