Stabilization of Epidermal Growth Factor in Aqueous Solution and Ointment Base

수용액 및 연고기제중의 상피세포 성장 인자의 안정화

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a mitogen which activate the proliferation of basal cells in skin, which implicate the wound healing in severe skin damage such as burn. To carry out the preclinical test for the pharmacological action of EGF, EGF in transdermal delivery system must be stable. Since EGF is a protein susceptible to proteolysis and unstable in aqueous solution, in vitro stabilization of EGF is prerequisite for the formulation. In this study, effect of additives on the stability of EGF is investigated in vitro. The stability of EGF in aqueous solution was enhanced with the various water-soluble polysaccharides such as HPMC, sorbitol, mannitol and dextrin. EGF was successfully extracted from the ointment with 5% HPMC solution, and EGF in aqueous solution and ointment was also successfully stabilized with 5% HPMC. The ointments prepared with different amount of EGF were applied on the damaged dorsal skin of rats for the determination of optimal concentration of EGF. The ointment with EGF $(10\;{\mu}g/g)$ showed good wound healing action on the damaged skin of rats.