Does stereochemistry influence transdermal permeation of flurbiprofen through the rat skin?

The possible enantioselectivity in the permeation of the chiral anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen across hairless rat skin was studied. The transdermal permeability of individual enantiomers from donor solution containing racemic flurbiprofen (0.1%) and pure enantiomers (0.05%) in isopropyl myristate solution was determined using side-by-side diffusion cells. The permeation profiles of enantiomers (R)- and (S)-flurbiprofen from donor solution containing racemic (RS)-flurbiprofen are comparable. When donor solution contained pure enantiomers, marked differences were observed between the permeation rates of (R)- and (S)-flurbiprofen. The steady-state flux and permeability coefficient were significantly higher for (R)-flurbiprofen in comparison with (S)-flurbiprofen (the flux ratio R/S = 2.04; p < 0.05).