Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39982640›Full record

ReviewDrug delivery and translational research2025

Skin penetration enhancers: Mechanistic understanding and their selection for formulation and design.

Yee Shan Sim, Li Ching Wong, Soo Chin Yeoh, Abdulsalam Almashhadani, Bilal Harieth Alrimawi, Choon Fu Goh

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Drug delivery and translational research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yee Shan SimDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
Li Ching WongDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
Soo Chin YeohDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
Abdulsalam AlmashhadaniDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
Bilal Harieth AlrimawiDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
Choon Fu GohDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia. choonfugoh@usm.my.ORCID 0000-0001-5084-4074

Funding

Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia FRGS/1/2020/STG01/USM/02/6Universiti Sains Malaysia IPS20/PHA/058
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The skin functions as a formidable barrier, particularly the stratum corneum, effectively restricting the penetration of most substances, including therapeutic agents. To circumvent this barrier, skin penetration enhancers (SPEs) are frequently employed to transiently increase skin permeability, facilitating drug absorption without causing irritation or damage. Despite advancements in dermal formulation development, a deeper understanding of the fundamental science underpinning drug delivery via SPEs remains essential. This review delivers a critical update on conventional SPEs, exploring their mechanisms in promoting drug permeation across the skin. In addition to offering an overview of percutaneous drug delivery, we examine the prevailing theories on how SPEs enhance drug transport. Furthermore, we address the intricate interplay between SPEs, drugs and the skin, providing valuable insights into how the molecular properties and permeation behaviours of SPEs influence their efficacy. This comprehensive review aims to support the ongoing development of optimised drug delivery systems for dermal applications by elucidating the complexities and challenges involved in using SPEs effectively.

Indexed as

Drug Delivery SystemsSkinSkin AbsorptionAdministration, CutaneousAnimalsHumansPermeabilityPharmaceutical PreparationsPharmaceutical PreparationsDermalDrug permeationFormulation designMechanism of actionSkinSkin penetration enhancer

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.