Abstract
Natural mixtures based on bioflavonoids, terpenoids, glycosidic compounds, polyphenols, anthocyanins and essential fatty acids are often more effective and non-toxic than many synthetic drugs. Betulin, a terpene compound with many key-roles in alternative medicine, is almost insoluble in water due to its pentacyclic structure. Different drug carriers are developed to improve the drug efficacy and release. This paper described the evolution of some skin parameters (transepidermal water loss, erythema and stratum corneum hydration) after a short and respectively a long exposure to a polyurethane carrier with and without betulin using sodium lauryl sulfate as reference. It was found that these compounds are safe for human use and the hydratant effect of betulin was reconfirmed.
Keywords: corneometry; drug delivery system; mexametry; TEWA; triterpenoids; Zeta potential