Formulation of Water-soluble Topical Preparations of Epidermal Growth Factor

상피세포성장인자의 수용성 외용제제화

In order to formulate an aqueous topical preparation of epidermal growth factor(EGF) for the treatment of open wound and bum, the stability of EGF in aqueous vehicles containing various stabilizers was evaluated and the pharmacological activity of gel preparations formulated with poloxamer 407 was determined with wound model. Various additives, which are known as potent stabilizers for proteins and polypeptides so far, were used to increase the stability of EGF in aqueous vehicles. The contents of EGF in the vehicles containing stabilizers were determined with an HPLC method after the storage at $37^{\circ}C$. EGF was more stable in ultrapure water than RO water or saline. All the additives studied resulted in deleterious effects on EGF stability. Therefore, it was speculated that any additives or impurities in the vehicle made EGF unstable. However, nitrogen purge of solution increased the stability of EGF in aqueous vehicles. The aqueous topical preparations of EGF were formulated with poloxamer 407 as a gel base in saline. Gelatin or amastatin was employed as a protease inhibitor. The pharmacological effect of EGF gel was studied with open wound model in mice. EGF preparations, made of oleaginous base or poloxamer gel base, showed significant healing effect compared to the control group(p<0.05). The addition of protease inhibitor in poloxamer 407 gel resulted in significant healing effect compared to the gel without it(p<0.05). Body weights of mice treated with EGF preparation were increased at the first day after the formation of open wound, while those of the control group were decreased. The EGF gel made of poloxamer 407 containing a pretense inhibitor would be a promising aqueous topical preparation for EGF.